Peck of Chehalis, Inc. v. C. K. of Western America, Inc.

VANDE WALLE, Justice.

C. K. of Western America (“CKWA”), John Olness, Bernie E. Askelson, and Jerry 0. Brantner, and the law firm of Vogel, Brantner, Kelly, Knutson, Weir & Bye appeal from a summary judgment entered by the district court of Grand Forks County in favor of the four plaintiff corporations. We reverse and remand.

Each of the four plaintiff corporations serves as a foundation for the operation of a Country Kitchen restaurant. Three of these companies, Peck of Chehalis, Inc., Peck of Oak Harbor, Inc., and Peck of Aberdeen, Inc., are Washington corporations set up in the mid-1970s by…