Janice J. Prioleau v. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Inc.074040)

In a series of decisions arising from personal injuries sustained by business invitees on the premises of businesses whose operations involve customer self-service, this Court has recognized a principle known as “mode of operation.” See Nisivoccia v. Glass Gardens, Inc., 175 N.J. 559, 563-65, 818 A.2d 314 (2003); Wollerman v. Grand Union Stores, Inc., 47 N.J. 426, 429-30, 221 A.2d 513 (1966); Bozza v. Vornado, Inc., 42 N.J. 355, 359-60, 200 A.2d 777 (1964). Under the mode-of-operation rule, a business invitee who is injured is entitled to an inference of negligence and is relieved of the…