Garrett v. Valley Sand and Gravel, Inc.

Before 1996, William B. Garrett owned and operated an automotive-service business known as Garrett Auto Save. In 1996, Garrett retired and closed his business. On April 12, 1996, he agreed to sell the real property on which the business was located to Sonic Restaurants, Inc. The closing took place on July 8, 1997.

Sonic purchased the property to construct a drive-in restaurant on the site and hired Horizon Industries of Fort Worth, Texas, as the general contractor. Horizon subcontracted the site-preparation work — including demolition of the existing building, grading, and debris removal — to…