Mass Distributor Tries to Block Termination, Claiming Franchise Law Reform Unconstitutional

Dear Client:   Massachusetts’ brewers and distributors finally came to a monumental agreement on franchise reform early this year. Prior to this legislation, brewers were pretty much locked into a distributor for life.  But now, one dispute between a local craft brewer and distributor is putting those new laws to the test.  Recall, the franchise reform passed in January would allow any brewer under 250,000 barrels a year to terminate a distributor without cause with 30 days notice, as long as