The franchise industry in South Korea is preparing for potentially significant legal and financial repercussions following a recent Supreme Court of Korea mandate. The court has ordered Pizza Hut Korea to reimburse billions of won in illicitly charged fees to franchise owners. This verdict could potentially initiate a chain reaction of similar lawsuits across various sectors, including food, retail, and service chains.
Earlier this week, the court upheld previous rulings necessitating Pizza Hut to refund 21.5 billion won (approximately US$16 million), termed as “margin franchise fees”. These fees were amassed from 94 franchisees between 2016 and 2022.
The controversial charges surrounded markups included in the prices of ingredients and supplies sold by the franchisor. The fees were declared unlawful because they were not explicitly agreed upon in the franchise contracts. This was in addition to separate royalties and advertising fees charged by Pizza Hut.
Legal experts and industry officials have speculated that this ruling could have far-reaching effects. Around 20 brands, spanning major fried chicken, burger, and coffee chains, are presently facing lawsuits from franchisees demanding reimbursement of similar margin-based expenses. As store owners re-examine older contracts inked before the disclosure rules were strengthened, more cases are anticipated.
The court discovered that Pizza Hut had been charging a fixed royalty of 6% of gross revenue in addition to advertising fees of around 5%. Moreover, the company was also making undisclosed profits on compulsory supplies. The franchise agreements did not explicitly authorize these margins, leading the court to conclude that the company had been unjustly enriched.
Pizza Hut began disclosing margin rates in its information statements starting in 2020. However, the courts ruled that disclosure alone did not equate to consent. In the absence of clear disclosure for several years, judges accepted estimated rates derived from subsequent data. This was due to Pizza Hut’s failure to fully comply with the orders to produce documents.
Franchise operators have cautioned against universally applying the Pizza Hut precedent. Some have argued that different brands do not charge royalties or have varying contractual structures. Hence, the specific circumstances of each case should be evaluated independently.
Moreover, South Korea had revised its franchise law in 2024 to mandate explicit disclosure of margin-based fees in contracts. This could potentially protect more recent agreements from challenges.
Nevertheless, industry groups are apprehensive about a potential influx of retrospective claims targeting older contracts. Historically, many franchisors have relied on supply margins rather than transparent royalties for their profits. According to a government survey from last year, over 60% of franchisors either solely depended on margin fees or combined them with royalties.
Critics argue that the ruling has brought to light the longstanding lack of transparency in the sector. Hwang Yong-sik, a business professor at Sejong University, has advocated for a gradual transition towards clearer, royalty-based models, which are more prevalent in the United States.
At present, the verdict has increased uncertainty within South Korea’s franchise industry. Companies are assessing potential liabilities, and franchisees are contemplating whether the Pizza Hut verdict could provide a blueprint for recovering past payments.
What was the ruling of the Supreme Court of Korea in the Pizza Hut Korea case?
The court ordered Pizza Hut Korea to reimburse billions of won in improperly charged ‘margin franchise fees’ to 94 franchisees, collected between 2016 and 2022.
What are the potential implications of this ruling?
The verdict could lead to similar lawsuits across various sectors, including food, retail, and service chains. Around 20 brands are currently facing similar lawsuits. More cases are expected as store owners reassess older contracts.
What changes have been suggested for the franchise industry in South Korea?
Some critics, including business professor Hwang Yong-sik, have called for a gradual shift towards clearer, royalty-based models. This would increase transparency in the franchise sector and align it more closely with practices common in the United States.
