Jack in the Box is trying to stop one of its largest franchisees from shutting down 38 restaurants in Washington, even as the company continues a broader effort to close struggling stores across the country.
According to industry publication Restaurant Business, the San Diego-based fast-food chain filed for a restraining order in Washington state court after franchise operator AJP Enterprises threatened to begin closing its remaining restaurants on April 22.
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Court filings indicate that Jack in the Box terminated AJP’s franchise agreements last month after the operator allegedly failed to pay $1.4 million in required marketing fees. The company says the stores cannot legally close while the dispute is still being fought in court…