Esso Standard Oil Co. v. Monroig-Zayas

TORRUELLA, Circuit Judge.

This appeal concerns a dispute under the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (“PMPA”). 15 U.S.C. §§ 2801 et seq. The PMPA “was enacted by Congress in 1978 to protect gasoline franchisees from arbitrary or discriminatory termination or nonrenewal of their franchises.” Esso Standard Oil Co. v. Dep’t of Consumer Affairs, 793 F.2d 431, 432 (1st Cir.1986). “Congress noted that the disparity of bargaining power existing between franchisors and franchisees sometimes resulted in franchise agreements that amounted to contracts of adhesion.” Id.

Plaintiff Esso Standard Oil Company…