Doctor's Associates, Inc. v. Distajo

JOSÉ A. CABRANES, Circuit Judge:

This case is about forum-shopping, by one and all. Doctor’s Associates, Inc. (“DAI”) is the national franchisor of Subway sandwich shops. DAI and its franchisees entered into standard franchise agreements, which required them to arbitrate all contractual disputes in Bridgeport, Connecticut, under Connecticut law. When problems did arise, however, neither side invoked the arbitration clause. First, DAI directed its wholly owned real-estate leasing companies to bring summary eviction proceedings against the franchisees in local state courts.1 The franchisees, in…