Vons Companies, Inc. v. Seabest Foods, Inc.

Opinion

GEORGE, C. J.

We consider in this case the issue whether California courts may exercise personal jurisdiction over owners of “fast food” restaurant franchises located in another state, in litigation stemming from several incidents of food poisoning that occurred in the foreign jurisdiction. We conclude that the franchisees had sufficient contacts with California through their relationship with their California franchiser, and that the tort claims alleged against the franchisees in a cross-complaint filed in a California action stemming from the food poisoning incidents were sufficiently…