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*298 OPINION & ORDER BAER, District Judge. This matter came before me while I sat in the Eastern District of New York in August 2002 and was transferred to me for all purposes by Judge Seybert. Docket numbers 00 Civ. 6130 and 01 Civ. 5872 were consolidated by order dated September 25, 2002. Two motions for partial summary judgment are before me. First, Dunkinâ Donuts Incorporated (âDunkinâ â) moves pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 56 for partial summary judgment on count I of its complaint against Barr Donut, LLC (âBarrâ) on the ground that Barr failed to comply with the express terms of the partiesâ franchise agreement by maintaining a shop far below Dunkinâs acceptable standards for health, sanitation, and safety. Second, Dunkinâ moves for summary judgment against Barr, Alexander Barrett (âBarrettâ), and Oshrie Zak (âZakâ) (collectively, the âBarr defendantsâ) on counts IV, V, and VI of Dunkinâs third amended complaint for the Barr defendantsâ violation of three different provisions of the franchise agreement. 1 Further, Dunkinâ also moves for summary judgment against SRS Donuts Corp. (âSRSâ) and Scott Glassman (âGlassmanâ) seeking a declaratory judgment that SRS and Glassman no longer have a conditional option to re-enter the Barr Donut franchise because of the termination of the Barr franchise agreement. Defendants Barr and Zak have cross-moved for partial summary judgment on the same three counts asserted in Dunkinâs third amended complaint. For the reasons set forth below, Dunkinâs motion for partial summary judgment against Barr with respect to count I of its first complaint is granted, and Dunkinâs motion for partial summary judgment against the Barr defendants on count V of its third amended complaint is also granted. Further, Dunkinâs motion for a declaratory judgment that SRS and Glassman no longer have a conditional option to re-enter the Barr Donut franchise because of the termination of the Barr franchise agreement is granted. Dunkinâ has agreed in open court that a decision of this nature releases the entire case and that it will seek no damages save attorneyâs fees to be decided on papers. As to that award, submissions from the plaintiff will be due by the end of January and any objections within two weeks thereafter. I. BACKGROUND As a preliminary matter, and with respect to both motions before me, the submissions by the Barr as well as the SRS and Glassman defendants are deficient. Specifically, Local Civil Rule 56.1 of the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York requires a party opposing a motion for summary judgment to submit a counter-statement of facts as to which a triable issue remains and which âmay not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of [his] pleading, but ... must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.â Sterbenz v. Attina, 205 F.Supp.2d 65, 67 (E.D.N.Y.2002) (stating â[w]here plaintiff has not responded to defendantsâ factual assertions â all of which are established by documentary evidence and/or the deposition testimony of plaintiff *299 or her counsel â this Court has deemed those facts to be uncontrovertedâ) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e) (2002)); see also Local Civ. R. 56.1(b). In addition, â[e]ach statement of material fact by a movant or opponent must be followed by citation to [admissible] evidence.â Local Civ. R. 56.1(d) (citing Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e)). Finally, the facts presented in the movantâs statement â in this case, Dunkinâs â âwill be deemed to be admitted unless controvertedâ by the opposing partyâs statement. Local Civ. R. 56.1(c); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23 , 106 S.Ct. 2548 , 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Millus v. DâAngelo, 224 F.3d 137 , 138 (2d Cir.2000); Sterbenz, 205 F.Supp.2d at 67 . Here, defendants Barrett, SRS, and Glass-man did not submit a proper counter-statement controverting Dunkinâs statement of material facts as required under Local Rule 56.1(b) with respect to Dunkinâ partial summary judgment on count I of plaintiffs complaint. Further, defendants Barr and Zak failed to include citations to evidence in their counter-statement of facts, and largely denied Dunkinâs statement of facts on the ground that those facts are inadmissible â a contention with which I disagree for reasons detailed infra. With respect to Dunkinâs motion for summary judgment on counts IV, V, and VI of its third amended complaint, Barr has simply provided its own statement of facts without at all attempting to controvert plaintiffs statements. Because the opposing parties have therefore failed to comply with Local Rule 56.1, Dunkinâs facts will be deemed admitted for the purpose of both motions. 1. Facts Relevant to Dunkinâs Motion for Summary Judgment on Count I of its Complaint Dunkinâ is a Delaware Corporation with its principal place of business in Randolph, Mass. It is engaged in the business of franchising independent business persons to operate Dunkinâ Donuts shops throughout the United States. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 1 for 01 Civ. 5872). Dunkinâ is the franchiser of the Dunkinâ Donuts franchise system. In addition, Dunkinâs wholly-owned subsidiary, Dunkinâ Donuts USA, Inc., is the owner of the trademark, service mark, and trade name DUNKINâ DONUTS and related marks. (Id. ¶3). Dunkinâ Donuts USA, Inc. owns a number of federal registrations for the mark âDun-kinâ Donutsâ and related marks. (Id. ¶ 4). Defendant Barr is a New York Limited Liability Company, with its principal place of business in Melville, New York. (Id. ¶ 12). From in or about June 1998 to the present, Barr has been the owner and operator of the Melville Dunkinâ Shop pursuant to a franchise agreement dated June 9, 1998 (âfranchise agreementâ or âagreementâ). (Id.). Dunkinâ provides each of its franchisees with a set of manuals and guidelines that set forth in detail the procedures, methodology, and standards applicable to the operation of a Dunkinâ shop. (Id. ¶ 13). Paragraph 5.0 of the franchise agreement provides the following: FRANCHISEE understands and acknowledges that every detail of the Dun-kinâ Donuts System is important to DUNKINâ DONUTS, to FRANCHISEE and to other Dunkinâ Donuts franchisees in order to develop and maintain high and uniform standards of quality, cleanliness, appearance, service, facilities, products and techniques to increase the demand for Dunkinâ Donuts products and to protect and enhance the reputation and goodwill of DUNKINâ DONUTS .... (Laudermilk Cert. (00 Civ. 6130) Ex. C). In addition, paragraph 5.1.7 of the agreement provides that the franchisee will comply promptly with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities including, but not limited to, the Board of Fire Underwriters and other similar organi *300 zations and all governmental agencies, however designated, which address health, safety, sanitation, environmental or other issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shop. (Id. ¶ 5.1.7). The franchise agreement also reserved to Dunkinâ the right to inspect the shop in order âto assure that [the items therein] conform to the standards and specifications of the Dunkinâ Donuts System.â (Id. ¶ 6.0). If Dunkinâ found what it believed to be a violation of a standard relating to health, sanitation, or safety, Dunkinâ would notify the franchisee in writing of the violation within 24 hours; if it did not cure the violation within that time period, the franchisee would be held in default under the franchise agreement. (Id. ¶ 9.0.2). On June 15, 2000, Barrâs shop was inspected by a Dunkinâ representative, Jeff Polizotto, who found a number of violations relating to health, sanitation, and safety. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶21, Exs. 3 & 4). Accordingly, Dunkinâ gave Barr a notice to cure the violations. When the shop was re-inspected on June 19, 2000, Polizot-to found that the violations had not been cured. (Id. ¶ 23, Exs. 3 & 4). The shop was inspected again on May 4, 2001. (Id. ¶ 24; Polizotto Cert., Ex. 6). During a 15-minute inspection, Polizotto again found a number of violations relating to health, sanitation, and safety. (Id.). Once again, Dunkinâ gave Barr a notice to cure the violations and found that the violations remained uncured when Dunkinâ once again inspected the shop on May 7, 2001. (Id. ¶ 26, Ex. 6). The same cycle of inspection-notice-failure to cure occurred a third time beginning on August 10, 2001. (Id. ¶ 27). Dunkinâ hand-delivered to Barr a notice to cure on August 10, 2001, which identified violations and demanded that Barr cure the violations within 24 hours. (Id. ¶ 28, Ex. 6). Because Barr failed to cure these violations when the shop was re-inspected on August 12, 2001 â at which time Polizot-to found a number of violations, including the presence of mouse droppings, flies, stagnant water collecting on the floor, and expired food products (Id. ¶29, Ex. 6)â Dunkinâ found that Barr was in breach of the franchise agreement. (Id. ¶ 31). Barr counters that it had the shop inspected on August 13, 2001 by its own inspector, Yankee Exterminating Co, Inc., who found âno evidence of insect or rodents inside or outside the facility.â (Def.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 9, Ex. 12). Barr further submits that the Yankee inspectorâs observations are consistent with those of the landlord at 116 Broad Hollow Road, where the Melville shop is located, who claims that he saw no evidence of vermin infestation in the shop during his dealings with the shop. (Id. ¶ 10, Ex. 13). In addition, Barr contends that Dunkinâ had a duty to help it deal with the alleged violations both after the May and August 2001 violations, but that to this date Dun-kinâ has failed to âlift a finger to assist Barr in dealing with the alleged standards violations.â (Id. ¶ 12). Specifically, Barr claims that since it purchased the franchise, Sonja Sorochinsky, the representative manager and Barrettâs wife, has not been provided training at Dunkinâs corporate training center, and presumably for this reason has failed to comply with the sanitation provisions under the franchise agreement. (Def.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 4). On August 20, 2001, Dunkinâ served a supplemental notice of termination on Barr, terminating the franchise agreement and demanding that Barr immediately comply with its post-termination obligations as set forth in the franchise agreement. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 31, Laudermilk Cert. Ex. H). To date, Barr has refused to do so and is presently operating its shop as if it were a licensed Dunkinâ franchisee. (Id. Ex. 1, ¶ 18). Shortly thereafter, Dunkinâ moved for a *301 preliminary injunction and order terminating the partiesâ franchise agreement and enjoining Barrâs unauthorized use of plaintiffs trademarks and trade dress and enjoining Barr from engaging in unfair competition in violation of the Lanham Act. A preliminary injunction hearing was held before me in the Eastern District of New York on August 23, 2002. At that hearing, Sorochinsky admitted that the oven was not up to Dunkinâs standards and had more than one dayâs worth of buildup, and that the food preparation area and equipment needed to be cleaned. (Id. Ex. 2, 173-74; 177-79). In addition, hundreds of photographs were admitted into evidence depicting mold, flies, and other serious health and sanitation violations at Barrâs shop. (Id. Ex. F). Dunkinâ now moves for summary judgment on the question of whether Barr has breached the franchise agreement by failing to maintain sanitary conditions. 2. Facts Relevant to Barr defendants on Dunkinâs Motion re: Count V of its Third Amended Complaint Defendant Barrett was the managing member and 75% owner of Barr at all times during which Barr was licensed to operate the Melville Dunkinâ Shop. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 5). Defendant Zak (âZakâ) was a member and 12.5% owner of Barr at all times during which Barr was licensed to operate the Melville Dunkinâ Shop. (Id. ¶ 6). Defendant SRS, a New York corporation, was a Dunkinâ franchisee for the Melville Shop before Barr became the franchisee. (Id. ¶ 8). Defendant Glassman personally guaranteed and agreed to perform SRSâs obligations pursuant to the SRS franchise agreement. (Id. ¶ 9). Pursuant to paragraph 1.3 of the Barr franchise agreement, Barr warranted that âall financial and other information which FRANCHISEE has provided to DUNKINâ DONUTS in connection with FRANCHISEEâS application for this Dun-kinâ Donuts franchise is true and accurate.â (Id. Ex. C, ¶ 1.3). Pursuant to paragraph 5.1.7, Barr agreed to comply promptly with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities including, but not limited to, the Board of Fire Underwriters and other similar organizations and all governmental agencies, however designated, which address health, safety, sanitation, environmental or other issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shop. (Id. Ex. C, ¶ 5.1.7). Pursuant to paragraph 8.0.1 of the agreement, Barr agreed not âto do or perform, directly or indirectly, any act injurious or prejudicial to the good will associated with Dunkinâs proprietary marks and the Dun-kinâ system.â (Id. ¶ 10, Ex. C, ¶ 8.0.1). In addition, under paragraph 9.1.3, Barr is not entitled to any cure period if it âfalsified financial data or otherwise commits an act of fraud with respect to its rights or obligations under this Agreement.â (Id. ¶ 11, Ex. C ¶ 9.1.3). Finally, pursuant to paragraphs 9.3 and 9.4.1 of the agreement, Barr agreed that it would pay to Dunkinâ all damages with interest, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneyâs fees, incurred by reason of Barrâs default and termination. (Id. ¶ 13, Ex. C ¶ 9.4.1). Barrett purchased the Dunkinâ franchise from the Glassman and SRS defendants on June 9, 1998. On his application, Barrett falsified both his employment history and his educational background. (Id. ¶¶24-26). Less than one year later, in May 1999, Barrett was charged in a four-count indictment for, inter alia, conspiracy to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute. (Id. ¶ 42). In August 1999, Barrett participated in a proffer session with the United States Attorneyâs Office in Tucson, Arizona pursuant to which he *302 agreed to discuss matters of interest to the United States Attorney in exchange for a promise by the government that the information would not be used against Barrett in any other proceeding. (Barrettâs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 8). Barrett maintains that he made incriminating statements to AUSA Huellmantel and Charles Hammock, a detective for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with the full expectation that those statements would remain secret in accordance with the terms of the proffer agreement. (Id. ¶ 10). 2 On August 11, 2000, Dunkinâ sent Barr a notice of termination for, inter alia, Barrettâs arrest for possession of illegal drugs, the use of illegal drug money to purchase the Melville franchise, and failing to provide true and accurate information to Dunkinâ in connection with his application to purchase the franchise in violation of paragraphs 1.3, 5.1.7, and 8.0.1 of the franchise agreement. To date, Barr has refused to comply with its post-termination obligations and is presently operating its shop as if it were a licensed Dunkinâ franchisee. (PLâs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 43). On or about October 19, 2001, Barrett signed a waiver of indictment waiving âprosecution by indictment and consenting] that the proceeding may be by information rather than indictment.â (Id. ¶ 44, Ex, 13). When Barrett was asked to authenticate his signature on the waiver of indictment during his deposition in the instant case, he invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege and refused to testify. (Id. Ex. 3 at 80-81). On October 19, 2001, Barrett pled guilty to an Information which stated [t]hat on or about January 1992, to on or about May 1999, at or near Tucson, in the District of Arizona, Alexander Barrett, named herein as defendant and co-conspirator, did knowingly and intentionally, combine, conspire, confederate and agree together and with Martin Molina, and with other persons to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, a Schedule I controlled substance, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 846 and 841(a)(1). (Id. ¶ 45, Ex. 3 at 81). Barrett was sentenced to a term of 72 months on or about January 4, 2002, and is currently an inmate at a federal corrections facility. (Id. ¶ 46). At some time after Barrett pleaded guilty, Judge Zapata of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, at Barrettâs request, sealed the records of his conviction. (Id. ¶ 33 n. 5). Dunkinâ contends that the following information is admissible for the purpose of its motion for partial summary judgment against the Barr defendants. For reasons set forth infra, I agree with Dunkinâ with respect to the admissibility of the following facts. Barrett told investigators that, during the summer of 1997, he learned that a Dunkinâ franchise was for sale in Melville, New York while he was looking for ways to legitimize the profit he gained from smuggling marijuana. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 15, Hammock Cert. Attached as Ex. 6). Barrett and Glassman executed their first purchase and sale agreement for the Melville Shop on October 31, 1997. *303 (Id.). At that same time, Barrett was purchasing 600 pounds of marijuana each month. (Id. Ex. 6 ¶ 3). Dunkinâ maintains that it would not have permitted Barrett to become a franchisee if it had known that Barrett was involved in the sale of illegal drugs â a fact which Barrett did not reveal on his resume for obvious reasons. (Id. ¶¶ 19, 21). In addition, Dunkinâ maintains that Barrett lied on his application by falsifying prior employment history, information about his references, and his educational background. (Id. ¶ 24). At his deposition in the instant action, Barrett invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege when questioned with respect to these issues, including whether he had ever received âsalaryâ checks from Zak, a 12.5% owner of Barr Donut, LLC. (Id. ¶ 26). Specifically, Barrett admitted to investigators that he was approached in 1995 by Zak, who proposed that he launder money for Barrett at a rate of 15%. Barrett agreed, and Zak began to issue checks to Barrett from the account of âZak, Esquire.â (Id. ¶ 27, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). Barrett also told investigators that in 1997, Zak agreed to continue laundering money but wanted the total amount to be laundered to be given to him in the beginning of the year. (Id. ¶ 28, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). Barrett admitted to investigators that he laundered money through Zak from 1996 to June 1998, when he could begin to legitimize his money with W-2âs issued from the Dunkinâ Donuts shop. (Id., Ex. 6 ¶ 3). During his deposition in the instant case, Barrett invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege when asked questions pertaining to money laundering and the payments from Zak. (Id. ¶ 29). During Zakâs deposition, Zak testified that he did not remember if he ever employed Barrett or why the checks issued to Barrett had the word âsalaryâ on the memo line, despite the fact that thirty-seven checks were indisputably issued each week from 1995 through 1998 from the account of âOshrie Zak, Esquireâ to Alexander Barrett. (Id. ¶ 30). It goes without saying that Barrett failed to include any reference to his involvement in the sale of illegal drugs on his Dunkinâ application. (Id. ¶ 32, Ex. 10). Two months prior to the closing of the sale of the Dunkinâ franchise to Barr, in or about April 1998, Barrett traveled to Tucson, Arizona with marijuana in a rental vehicle. Upon discovering the drugs, the Arizona Department of Public Safety arrested Barrett. When asked during his deposition whether he was arrested in 1998, Barrett once again invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege. (Id. ¶ 36, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). Barrett told investigators that in May 1998, around the same time that he executed a waiver letter with the SRS and Glassman defendants, he supplied $140,000 for the purchase of 200 pounds of marijuana. Also, in May 1998, a month before Barrett purchased the Dunkinâ franchise, Barrett placed approximately $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 into a storage unit at Bulwark Storage. (Id. ¶ 37, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). On June 9, 1998, Barr used money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs to purchase the Barr franchise from defendants SRS and Glass-man. (Id. ¶ 38, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). On or about this same time, Barrett paid over $300,000 cash to defendants SRS and Glassman âunder the tableâ for the purchase of the Melville Shop. (Id. ¶ 39, Ex. 6 ¶ 3). This payment was in addition to the amount specified in the purchase and sale agreement and was not reported to Dunkin.â (Id.). While operating the Melville Shop, Barrett continued his involvement in the sale of marijuana. (Id. ¶ 41). For instance, in or about October or November 1998, approximately four to five months after entering into the franchise agreement, Barrett made arrangements for shipments of 50 to 60 pounds of marijuana to be shipped from Arizona to New York, where Barrett distributed his portion. Barrett made a profit of approximately *304 $200 per pound. (Id. Ex. 6 ¶ 3). When asked whether he was engaged in distributing marijuana in Arizona after opening the Melville Shop, Barrett invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege and refused to testify. (Id. Ex. 3 at 20). In addition, Barrett invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege and refused to testify once again when asked whether he received money from the sale of drugs after he opened the Dunkinâ shop. (Id. Ex. 3 at 49). 3. Facts Relevant to defendants SRS and Glassman on Dunkinâs Motion for a Declaratory Judgment With respect to the SRS and Glassman defendants, in July 1997 Dunkinâ terminated the SRS franchise agreement for the underreporting of sales. Pursuant to the terms of a settlement executed by the parties on or about December 10, 1997, SRS and Glassman were provided an opportunity to sell their franchise. (Id. ¶ 47). On or about June 9, 1998, Glassman and SRS executed an agreement to transfer the Dunkinâ shop to Barr Donut, LLC by the sale of assets; the transfer agreement contained Dunkinâs standard form âconditional option to re-enterâ agreement. Specifically, section III of the transfer agreement provided Glassman and SRS with a conditional option to re-enter the Melville franchise because they were providing purchase money financing to the transferee, in this case Barr Donut. (Id. ¶ 49). Paragraph 3.0.1: TRANSFEROR shall cure all monetary and non-monetary defaults of TRANSFEREE under all agreements with DUNKINâ DONUTS, including, without limitations, the Franchise Agreement and (if applicable) LEASE, without set-off or offset of any kind or nature, including, but not limited to, franchise fees, advertising fees, rent, tax escrow, percentage rate, collection fees, legal fees, interest, promissory note payments, equipment agreement payments, and any and all other sums whatsoever owed to DUNKINâ DONUTS and/or LESSOR; Paragraph 3.0.2: TRANSFEROR shall cure all violations, including, without limitation, standards, maintenance and contractual violations, at the DUNKINâ DONUTS SHOP, no later than the date of re-entry. However, if any violation by its nature cannot be cured prior to re-entry, TRANSFEROR shall be deemed to have complied with this condition if TRANSFEROR pays into escrow with DUNKINâ DONUTS funds sufficient, in DUNKINâ DONUTSâ judgment, to cure the violations within a period of time and in a manner satisfactory to DUNKINâ DONUTS; Paragraph 3.2: TRANSFEROR shall have the right to re-enter and operate the DUNKINâ DONUTS SHOP for the term commencing with the date of reentry and ending ninety days following the date of re-entry. TRANS-FERORâS re-entry shall be for the sole purpose of enabling TRANSFEROR to resell the Dunkinâ Donuts to a new transferee approved by DUNKINâ DONUTS. If TRANSFEROR re-enters the DUNKINâ DONUTS SHOP and fails to conclude a transfer thereof within such period, TRANSFERORâS rights under the re-entry franchise agreement and (if applicable) LEASE shall terminate without notice or demand by DUN-KINâ DONUTS, and following expiration of such period TRANSFEROR shall promptly vacate the premises, remove TRANSFERORâS personal property therefrom, and peaceably surrender possession of the premises to DUNKINâ DONUTS. (Id. ¶ 50 Ex. 16 (emphasis added)). At or around the same time, defendants Glassman, Barrett, and Zak executed a waiver letter, which stated that â[t]he conditional option to re-enter agreement and *305 all rights granted to transferor [SRS and Glassman] thereunder shall extinguish and be of no further force and effect upon the expiration or termination of the transfereeâs franchise agreement.â (Id. ¶ 53 Ex. 17, § g). In other words, should the franchise agreement be terminated, Glass-manâs and SRSâ conditional option to reenter under paragraph 3.2 of the transfer agreement would be extinguished. II. ANALYSIS 1. Standard of Review for Both Motions In a motion for summary judgment, the burden is on the moving party to establish that no genuine issues of material fact are in dispute and that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 256 , 106 S.Ct. 2505 , 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(c). A dispute regarding a material fact is genuine ââif the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.â â Aldrich v. Randolph Cent. Sch. Dist., 963 F.2d 520, 523 (2d Cir.1992) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505 , cert. denied, 506 U.S. 965 , 113 S.Ct. 440 , 121 L.Ed.2d 359 (1992)). The court resolves all ambiguities and draws all inferences in favor of the nonmoving party in order to determine how a reasonable jury would decide. Aldrich, 963 F.2d at 523 . 2. Dunkinâs Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Against Barr on Count I of its Complaint Dunkinâ maintains that it is undisputed that Barr has consistently failed to maintain its shop according to Dunkinâs standards for health, sanitation, and safety, and has failed to cure such violations within 24 hours as required under the franchise agreement. Specifically, Dunkinâ contends that Barr has âmade it a practiceâ to (1) allow mice, cockroaches and flies to roam free throughout the establishment; (2) store perishables at potentially hazardous temperatures; (3) store food unprotected from contamination; (4) have food products not within their code date; (5) not sanitize, clean, and rinse equipment at a proper frequency; (6) leave imminent health hazards untreated; and (7) generally refuse to comply with its duty to maintain a clean and sanitary shop. (Pl.âs memorandum at 2). The series of inspections that occurred beginning on June 15, 2000 document the violations that led to the termination of Barrâs franchise agreement. Further, Dunkinâ also maintains that Barrâs violations also constitute actions injurious or prejudicial to the goodwill of Dunkinâs proprietary marks â a separate breach of the franchise agreement. (Id. at 3). Dunkinâ cites a number of cases for the proposition that a franchise may be terminated if a franchisee fails to comply with health and safety standards. In a case involving facts similar to this case, Dunkinâ Donuts, Inc. v. Donuts, Inc., the district court for the Northern District of Illinois held that âthe violations caused both shops to fall below any reasonable standard of sufficient sanitation, health and safety standards and constitute material breaches of the Franchise Agreement.â 2000 WL 1808517 , at *5 (N.D.Ill. Dec.6, 2000); see also McDonaldâs Corp. v. Robertson, 147 F.3d 1301, 1309 (11th Cir.1998) (franchiseeâs âfailure to comply with McDonaldâs QSC and food safety standards constituted a material breach of the franchise agreement sufficient to justify terminationâ). Barr fully admits that âa franchiseeâs violation of [Dunkinâs] standards for health, sanitation, and safety would permit [Dunkinâ] to terminate the franchise agreement.â (Def.âs memorandum at 3). However, Barr maintains that there is still a genuine issue of material fact as to whether it ever committed any health, sanitation, *306 or safety violations. (Id.). Specifically, Barr relies on the reports of its own inspectors' â Yankee Inspectors â who reported that there has never been an insect or rodent infestation problem during the time that Yankee has been servicing the franchise. (Id. at 4). Further, Barr distinguishes the main case cited by Dunkin,â Dunkinâ Donuts Inc. v. Donuts, Inc., on the ground that in that case the plaintiff provided reports documenting the defendantâs violations from both its own investigator and the Health and Environment Coordinator for the relevant locality, thereby providing independent verification of the plaintiffs allegations. By contrast, here Barr claims â entirely without support â that it has always passed the inspections by the Nassau County/Town of Melville health inspector. For instance, Barr asserts that it passed two health department inspections that were made on April 19 and June 11, 2001, respectively, although fails to provide any verification whatsoever in support thereof. (Id. at 6). In Barrâs view, âthe inspections by local health officials cast that much more doubt on the credibility of the witnesses relied on by [Dunkinâ] in making its case for summary judgment.â (Id.). However, as noted, Barr fails to provide any documentary proof of these so-called âlocal health officialsâ and their alleged inspections of the Melville shop. In the alternative, Barr contends that Dunkinâ cannot terminate the franchise agreement as a matter of law because it was Dunkin,â not Barr, that breached that agreement by failing to provide Barr employees with training that would allow them to maintain the standards required under the agreement. Specifically, pursuant to paragraph 2.2 of the franchise agreement, Dunkinâ agreed to make available to the franchisee prior to the initial opening of the shop âa training program with respect to the operation of the Dunkinâ Donuts System, at the Dunkinâ Donuts University Corporate Training Center,â as well as â[t]o provide operating procedures to assist FRANCHISEE in complying with DUNKINâ DONUTSâ standard methods.â (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Laudermilk Cert. Ex. C). In its reply brief, Dunkinâ counters, and I agree, that Barrâs statements with respect to the Yankee inspector and the Nassau Health Department inspections are completely uncorroborated. For instance, with respect to the Yankee inspector, Barr relies on unauthenticated letters that it submitted as exhibits to its opposition to Dunkinâs motion for a preliminary injunction. Similarly, Barr fails to include any Nassau Health Department reports or other documentation that demonstrate whether an inspection even took place and, if so, what were the results of that inspection. In any event, Dunkinâ maintains that it does not even need âindependent confirmationâ to demonstrate Barrâs breaches of the franchise agreement with respect to health and sanitation standards. Finally, Dunkinâ submits that, as a matter of law, any âallegedâ breach of the franchise agreement by Dunkinâ does not excuse Barr from its own failure to abide by the terms of the franchise agreement, and that, as a matter of fact, Dunkinâ did not breach the agreement by failing to provide proper counseling. I find that Dunkinâ has demonstrated that no genuine issue of material fact exists that would defeat its motion for summary judgment with respect to count I of its complaint against Barr. First, the Yankee inspection report fails to raise an issue of fact with respect to sanitary conditions at the shop. Although the letter dated September 19, 2001 states that â[t]he premises have not had an insect or rodent infestation problem since our companyâs services have been enlistedâ (Def.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Ex. 11), Barr has failed not only to authenticate this letter but also *307 to provide any standards that the Yankee inspector as well as the landlord relied on when evaluating the shop. Second, the photographs from the August 12, 2001 inspection that have been admitted into evidence â depicting, inter alia, mold, flies, food stored on filthy surfaces, open flour bags, stagnant water, and mouse droppings â indisputably reveal a store with serious sanitation problems. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Ex. F). Although Barr submitted into evidence its own photographs depicting a much more sanitized version of the store (Def.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Ex. 16), those photographs are dated August 2002 â one year after the August 12, 2001 re-inspection of the premises. The franchise agreement clearly states that Barr had one day, not one year, to cure violations that were reported by Dun-kin.â Finally, Barr has failed to establish that it was Dunkin,â not Barr, that violated the franchise agreement by failing to provide training with respect to health and sanitation standards. Even assuming that Dunkinâ did breach the franchise agreement â which it did not 3 â Barr cannot rely on Dunkinâs alleged wrongdoing to avoid the consequences of its own breach. See., e.g., Dunkinâ Donuts, Inc. v. Liu, 2000 WL 1868386 , at *4 (E.D.Pa. Dec.21, 2000) (stating that â[d]efendants can assert their own claim against Dunkinâ but cannot rely on DunMnâs wrongdoing to avoid the consequences of their own non-performanceâ). In any event, Dunkinâ has adduced overwhelming evidence that it fully complied with its obligation to make assistance available to Barr. Polizotto testified at the preliminary injunction hearing that after each inspection he discussed at length the results with Sorochinsky and explained what steps were necessary to operate the shop in compliance with Dunkinâs standards; further, Sorochinsky herself testified that she had personally reviewed training manuals, a video training system, and an interactive CD-ROM training program that Dunkinâ made available to her. (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement Ex. 3 at 120-21). Accordingly, Dunkinâs motion for summary judgment on count I of its complaint is granted, and the partiesâ franchise agreement is terminated. 2. Dunkinâs Motion for Summary Judgment Against the Barr defendants on Count V of Dunkinâs Third Amended Complaint Dunkinâ maintains that it is entitled to summary judgment on counts IV, V, and VI of its third amended complaint because there is no genuine issue of material fact that (1) Barrett used money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs to purchase the franchise; (2) Barrett purchased the franchise to launder money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs; (3) money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs was laundered through the Dunkinâ franchise; (4) Barrett provided false information to Dunkinâ in connection with its application to become a franchisee; and (5) Barrett pled guilty to conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute. Because I do not need to find that the Barr defendants violated all three provisions of the franchise agreement to find that the agreement is terminated, I will limit my analysis to Dunkinâ motion with respect to count V. Count V charges the Barr defendants with breach of paragraph 5.1.7 of the franchise agreement, which states that the franchisee will âcomply promptly with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities .... â First, Dunkinâ maintains that the *308 actions undertaken by a managing member and 75% shareholder of the corporation â Barrettâmay be imputed to the corporation, and therefore that Barrettâs criminal actions may be imputed to Barr Donut. United States v. 141st St. Corp., 911 F.2d 870 (2d Cir.1990) (upholding lower courtâs decision that any knowledge or consent of criminal activity by the president of a corporation imputes criminal liability to the corporation). By laundering money obtained from the sale of illegal drugs, Barrett committed at least two violations of 18 U.S.C. Section 1956 , the federal money laundering statute, and therefore violated paragraph 5.1.7 of the franchise agreement. Dunkinâ asserts that Detective Hammockâs testimony with respect to Barrettâs drug smuggling and money laundering activities both prior to and during his ownership of the franchise creates no genuine issue of material fact that Barrett violated paragraph 5.1.7 of the franchise agreement. Second, Dun-kinâ asserts that Barrettâs invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege when questioned with respect to whether drug money was used to purchase the shop as well as with respect to whether he had purchased the shop to launder drug proceeds, permits the fact finder to draw an adverse inference against him. As a general matter, the Barr defendants claim that Dunkinâ relies largely on information obtained by Detective Hammock as part of the investigation against Barrett, and that such information is inadmissible in this proceeding because it was offered in violation of the proffer agreement. Barrett in particular argues that the validity of Hammockâs cooperation is still the subject of ongoing litigation in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Specifically, over the objection of the Barr defendants, Dunkinâ obtained a subpoena from the United States District Court in Arizona to depose Hammock on the topics covered during the proffer sessions. The Barr defendants have appealed the decision of the district court, and, in Barrettâs view, the issue remains pending in the Ninth Circuit. Further, the Barr defendants urge that Barrettâs invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege does not warrant an adverse inference against him because the âinvocation specifically qualified his rights by referring to the terms of his proffer agreements and the sealing order of Judge Frank R. Zapata.â In other words, because Barrett was under a court order and a proffer agreement not to reveal the information discussed in his plea and proffer sessions, his invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege was not susceptible to an adverse inference with respect to the substance of the questions posed to him. Barrett points out that, as of todayâs date, neither the United States Attorneyâs Office nor the plaintiff has moved to unseal the district court proceedings or to release defendant from his proffer agreement promises. Finally, with respect to count V specifically, the Barr defendants maintain that Barrettâs allegedly criminal actions did not even fall within the scope of the franchise agreement, as paragraph 5.1.7 refers to health and safety regulations rather than to âgeneral criminality.â I find that no genuine issue of material fact exists with respect to whether the Barr defendants breached paragraph 5.1.7 of the franchise agreement. As a preliminary matter, defendantsâ argument that Detective Hammockâs deposition testimony is inadmissible because it violates Barrettâs proffer agreement is without merit. In his opinion dealing with the question of whether Dunkinâ could subpoena Hammock in the first instance, Judge Browning of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona addressed whether Hammockâs testimony would violate (1) the Privacy Act; or (2) Barrettâs proffer agreement. With respect to the proffer *309 agreement, Judge Browning asserted that âbecause the topic of the request for discovery is sufficiently dissimilar from the subject of the proffer agreement, the Court cannot say that any harm that may befall Defendant from the release of this information was likely one that Defendant sought to protect against when he made his proffer agreement with the Government.â (Pl.âs reply memorandum Ex. A). In addition, with respect to Judge Zapataâs decision to seal the agreement, Judge Browning stated that âthe parties have offered no evidence that Judge Zapataâs decision to seal was anything more than a routine decision made when there has been evidence offered such as this, and certainly there is no evidence that Judge Zapata intended to prevent the disclosure of information related to the franchise. The sealing of a court file is generally intended to protect against potentially harmful disclosure to the general publicâ it is not intended to prevent the world from ever seeing the documents again.â (Id.). In addition, as Dunkinâ points out, Barrettâs proffer agreement nowhere provides that Barrettâs statements may not be used against him in any future civil â as opposed to criminal â proceeding. (Id. Ex. 2B). In any event, criminal testimony, even when subject to an immunity agreement, may be used in civil proceedings. See, e.g., State v. Goodell, 1986 WL 2986 , at *1 (D.Colo. Mar.4, 1986) (stating that â[a]t the outset, it should be noted that the federal governmentâs grant of immunity to [the defendant] in the prior criminal suit does not preclude the use of [the defendantâs] testimony to establish his liability in this subsequent civil suitâ). Accordingly, I will rely on Detective Hammockâs certification in ruling on Dunkinâs motion and Zakâs cross-motion. Pursuant to paragraph 5.1.7 of the franchise agreement, Barr agreed to comply promptly with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances and orders of public authorities including, but not limited to, the Board of Fire Underwriters and other similar organizations and all governmental agencies, however designated, which address health, safety, sanitation, environmental or other issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shop. (Id. Ex. C, ¶ 5.1.7). The Barr defendantsâ principal contention is that this paragraph refers only to certain kinds of laws relating to the operation of the franchise â in particular, laws pertaining to âhealth, safety, sanitation, environmental or other issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shopâ â and is ânot directed at general criminality.â (Barrett memorandum at 9). This argument is entirely without merit. First, as a matter of law, courts in this Circuit have found that this kind of contractual âincluding, but not limited toâ language may denote a non-exclusive list of applicable provisions. See, e.g., Shugrue v. Continental Airlines, 977 F.Supp. 280, 285-86 (S.D.N.Y.1997) (plain language of âincluding without limitationâ indicates list in agreement is not exclusive). Second, and more specifically, criminal behavior may fall within the ambit of a general âobey all lawsâ clause such as the one at issue here. See, e.g., Dunkinâ Donuts Incorp. v. Gav-Stra Donuts, Inc., 189 F.Supp.2d 147 (D.Mass.2001) (holding that tax fraud conspiracy violated a franchise agreementâs âobey all lawsâ clause). To be sure, on its face this provision explicitly states that the franchisee will âcomply promptly with all applicable laws ... of public authorities including, but not limited to, ... all governmental agencies, however designated, which address health, safety, sanitation, environmental or other issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shop.â (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Ex. C, empha *310 sis added). Surely the Barr defendants cannot truly contest that drug smuggling and money laundering do not .fall within larger categories that constitute âother issues affecting operations of the Dunkinâ Donuts Shop.â In fact, one could reason that âgeneral criminal activityâ is specifically covered by paragraph 5.1.7 insofar as laws of governmental agencies that address âsafetyâ fall within its scope. The only question, then, is whether Dun-kinâ has demonstrated that no genuine issue of material fact exists with respect to whether Barrett engaged in criminal behavior in the first instance. In his certification, Detective Hammock revealed that Barrett used proceeds from smuggling marijuana to open the Melville Shop (Pl.âs Rule 56.1 Statement, Ex. 6 ¶ 3) and that Zak was laundering money for Barrett right up until the time when he purchased the shop. (Id.). According to Hammock, Barrett admitted that he was approached by Zak in 1995, and Zak proposed that he launder money for Barrett at a rate of 15%. Barrett agreed, and, in 1996, Zak began issuing checks to Barrett from the account of âOshrie Zak, Esquire.â Dun-kinâ has in fact provided copies of those checks in its motion for partial summary judgment. (Id. Ex. 11). In addition, Detective Hammock also stated that in August 1998 â after Barrett had purchased the franchise â Barrett made arrangements for 200 pounds of marijuana to be transported from Arizona to New York, where Barrett distributed his portion. Further, in or about October or November 1998, again after Barrett had purchased the shop, Barrett made arrangements for shipments of 50-60 pounds of marijuana to be shipped from Arizona to New York. (Id. Ex. 6 ¶ 3). Moreover, contrary to defendantsâ contention otherwise, Barrettâs invocation of his Fifth Amendment privilege when questioned with respect to whether he laundered money from drug activity permits the Court to draw an adverse inference against him. See Baxter v. Palmigiano, 425 U.S. 308, 318 , 96 S.Ct. 1551 , 47 L.Ed.2d 810 (1976) (âthe Fifth Amendment does not forbid adverse inferences against parties to civil actions when they refuse to testify in response to probative evidence offered against themâ). The evidence adduced on Dunkinâs motion for summary judgment with respect to count V overwhelmingly shows that Barrett did engage in criminal activity both before and after opening the Melville Shop. Since the franchise agreement must be terminated on this ground alone, one cannot help but wonder whether this extended and extensive litigation wasnât overkill in the extreme. In any event, Dunkinâs motion for summary judgment with respect to count V will be granted. 3. Dunkinâs Motion for a Declaratory Judgment Against defendants Glassman and SRS In count XV of its third amended complaint, Dunkinâ claims that it is entitled to a declaratory judgment against the Glassman and SRS defendants on the ground that the waiver letter entered into between Glassman, SRS, Barrett, and Zak on May 27, 1998 is clear on its face that the transfer agreementâs conditional âoption to re-enterâ extinguishes upon termination of the Barr franchise agreement. Specifically, the waiver letter states that [t]he conditional option to re-enter agreement and all rights granted to transferor thereunder shall extinguish and be of no further force and effect upon the expiration or termination of the transfereeâs franchise agreement. (Id. ¶ 53 Ex. 17). The language of the waiver letter is clear and unambiguous on its face that the transfer agreementâs âconditional option to re-enterâ extinguishes upon the termination of the transfereeâs franchise agreement. Because the Barr franchise agree *311 ment has been terminated for reasons detailed supra, SRSâ and Glassmanâs (the âtransferorsâ â) conditional option to reenter has been extinguished and a declaratory judgment is granted in Dunkinâs favor with respect to this count. III. CONCLUSION For the foregoing reasons, Dunkinâs motion for partial summary judgment against Barr on count I of it complaint is granted, and its motion for summary judgment against the Barr defendants with respect to count V of its third amended complaint is also granted and the franchise agreement terminated. In addition, Dunkinâs motion for a declaratory judgment against the Glassman and SRS defendants is granted. Attorneyâs fees, if any, will be awarded in accordance with submissions provided as noted infra. IT IS SO ORDERED. 1 . Count IV is brought against the Barr defendants for breach of the franchise agreement, ¶ 1.3. Count V is brought against the Barr defendants for breach of the Barr franchise agreement, ¶ 5.1.7. And Count VI is brought against the Barr defendants for breach of the franchise agreement, ¶ 8.0.1. As noted infra, because I do not need to find that the Barr defendants violated all three provisions of the franchise agreement alleged in Dunkinâs third amended complaint and at issue in this motion to find that the agreement is terminated, I will limit my analysis to Dunkin' motion with respect to count V exclusively. 2 . It is Barrett's contention that the information supplied by Detective Hammock is inadmissible in this action, and has in fact been the subject of federal litigation in the United States District Court in Arizona. (Barrettâs Rule 56.1 Statement ¶ 17). However, as discussed in greater detail infra, Judge Browning of the District of Arizona, whose order permitted Dunkin' to obtain testimony from Hammock with respect to the admissions made by Barrett, has already rejected Barrettâs argument with respect to the alleged confidentiality of the proffer sessions and any information relating thereto. (Pl.'s reply memorandum Ex. 2). 3 . By its express terms, the agreement obligates Dunkin' to make its training "available" to the franchisee. In other words, the agreement does not obligate Dunkin' to insure or require that the franchisee take advantage of that training.
Case Information
- Court
- S.D.N.Y.
- Decision Date
- January 17, 2003
- Status
- Precedential