The McDonald’s ice cream machine repairs dispute is an example of a franchisor-franchisee-supplier dispute. Some McDonald’s franchisees took on DIY repairs to their ice cream machines by installing an aftermarket gadget to troubleshoot repairs, violating the franchisor’s warranties. McDonald’s ordered that the gadgets be removed, claiming they could cause “serious human injury”. Now the gadget’s manufacturer, Kytch, is suing McDonald’s for $900 million in damages for destroying its rapidly growing start up business. More
