Question about Burger King's legal team

[mh105129]

If my wife sues a Burger King franchise, individually owned and operated, for harassment, will the owner be responsible for his own lawyer or will Burger King provide their own? The incident is concerning the store's management while she was employed, not Burger King corp. Considering that when she called corporate to file a complaint they told her it wasn't their problem because it is a franchise, we assume that the owner will have his own lawyer. Yet, my dad is the major of a city and when his city get's sued, the Arkansas Municipal League provides the legal services.
The reason for the question is that we found out we have a good case, but if Burger King corporate has a legal team get involved, we're not sure if we really want to spend a lot of money and time fighting them. It's like Wal-Mart, they can drag a case on for years.

 

[Patricia_Young]

Franchisees are the owners of the establishment. Corporate normally provides advertising support, menus and cooking instructions, things like that to protect the corporate name. It would be very rare if they provided a free legal defense to the franchisee; and even if they did, they aren't the ones she is suing. There are no deep pockets here.

 

[army judge]

If my wife sues a Burger King franchise, individually owned and operated, for harassment, will the owner be responsible for his own lawyer or will Burger King provide their own? The incident is concerning the store's management while she was employed, not Burger King corp. Considering that when she called corporate to file a complaint they told her it wasn't their problem because it is a franchise, we assume that the owner will have his own lawyer. Yet, my dad is the major of a city and when his city get's sued, the Arkansas Municipal League provides the legal services.
The reason for the question is that we found out we have a good case, but if Burger King corporate has a legal team get involved, we're not sure if we really want to spend a lot of money and time fighting them. It's like Wal-Mart, they can drag a case on for years.

This is a question best addressed by your attorney. A corporation will protect it's brand. They will also assist and counsel their franchisees.

I doubt they'd become very involved, if at all, in a matter such as this. However, you should speak with your attorney about this.

Don't worry about the strategy your defendant will pursue. Prepare your case and focus on the theory of your case.

I don't think the franchisee is a pauper. He/she will have effective legal assistance. Don't assume that, even if corporate were to become involved, their legal team would be better.