Hillstrom v. McDonald's Corp.

Plaintiff, a franchisee of defendant McDonald’s Corporation, appeals the trial court’s grant of judgment notwithstanding the verdict in an action for breach of contract. Because we hold that plaintiff introduced sufficient evidence at trial to warrant a jury’s determination, we reverse. We affirm the trial court’s refusal to grant McDonald’s motion for a new trial. 1

Plaintiff was an owner-operator of two McDonald’s franchises located in Portland and Tigard. He purchased the Portland franchise in 1974. By 1978, sales at the Portland franchise had nearly doubled, and it had won an award for…