Morris CM Enterprises, LLC v. Wingstop Franchising LLC ( 2020 )

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 9 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 10 11 MORRIS CM ENTERPRISES, LLC, No. 2:19-CV-02306-KJM-CKD 12 Plaintiff, 13 v. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 14 WINGSTOP FRANCHISING, LLC, 15 Defendant. 16 ___________________________________ 17 WINGSTOP FRANCHISING, LLC, 18 Counterclaimant, 19 v. 20 MORRIS CM ENTERPRISES, LLC, 21 Counter-Defendant. 22 23 Before the court is defendant and counterclaimant Wingstop Franchising LLC’s 24 (“Wingstop” or “counterclaimant”) motion for default judgment against plaintiff and counter- 25 defendant Morris CM Enterprise, LLC (“Morris CM” or “counter-defendant”). (ECF No. 30.) 26 Morris CM failed to file an opposition to the motion for default judgment in accordance with 27 Local Rule 230(c). Morris CM was given additional time to respond and was advised that the 28 1 failure to respond may result in a recommendation that default judgment be entered against it. 2 (ECF No. 34.) On April 29, 2020, Morris CM filed an opposition to the motion for default 3 judgment. (ECF No. 36.) On May 5, 2020, Wingstop timely filed a reply. (ECF No. 37.) The 4 undersigned has fully considered the briefs and record in this case and, good cause appearing, 5 finds as follows: 6 I. BACKGROUND 7 A. Factual Background 8 In 2008, Morris CM entered into a franchise agreement with Wingstop Restaurants Inc., a 9 national restaurant franchise specializing in chicken wings.1 (ECF No. 1 ¶ 6.) The franchise 10 agreement granted Morris CM the right to operate a Wingstop restaurant at 3541 N. Freeway 11 Blvd., Suite 115, Sacramento, California. (ECF No. 5 ¶ 20.) The parties renewed their 12 agreement under a renewal rider on December 6, 2017. (Id.) Michael Morris, the principal 13 officer of Morris CM, was a guarantor of Morris CM’s obligations under the franchise agreement. 14 (Id. ¶ 6.) 15 Wingstop owns a variety of trademarks and copyrights used to denote its restaurants. (Id. 16 ¶¶ 10-19.) In the franchise agreement and subsequent renewal, Wingstop granted Morris CM a 17 license to use various components of Wingstop’s intellectual property. (Id. ¶¶ 20, 24.) Wingstop 18 granted Morris CM the use of several federally registered trademarks to distinguish its restaurant. 19 (Id. ¶ 12.) Wingstop also furnished Morris CM with a license to use copyright protected 20 operations and advertising materials and protected trade secrets in operating its restaurant. 21 Wingstop alleges Morris CM agreed to discontinue use of all Wingstop intellectual 22 property on termination of the franchise agreement. (Id. ¶ 25.) The Franchise Agreement states, 23 in relevant part: 24 ///// 25 ///// 26 ///// 27 1 Wingstop Restaurants Inc. subsequently assigned its interest in the franchise agreement to 28 Wingstop Franchising LLC, the counterclaimant in this action. (ECF No. 5 ¶ 23.) 1 Upon the expiration or termination of the franchise, Franchisee must immediately discontinue all further uses of the Marks and 2 Copyrighted Materials and take appropriate action to remove the Marks from the premises in which the Restaurant is located, to cancel 3 any advertising relating to Franchisee’s use of the Marks or the Copyrighted Materials, including yellow pages listings, and to cancel 4 or withdraw any assumed or fictitious name filings covering Franchisee’s use of Company’s trade name. Franchisee 5 acknowledges and agrees that failure or refusal to comply fully with these requirements will constitute willful trademark and copyright 6 infringement. 7 (ECF No. 5-2 at 32.) 8 Morris CM agreed it would take these remedial steps within seven days of any termination 9 of the franchise. (ECF No. 5 ¶ 29.) If it did not, Wingstop would be entitled to injunctive relief 10 without the necessity of posting a bond. (Id.) 11 On April 25, 2019, Wingstop received a notice from the California Department of Tax and 12 Fee Administration (CDTFA) that Morris CM’s seller’s permit had been suspended for failure to 13 pay sales tax. (ECF No. 5 ¶ 34.) Wingstop then sent notices of default to Morris CM, and Morris 14 CM failed to cure the default. (ECF No. 5 ¶ 36.) 15 On October 11, 2019, Wingstop notified Morris CM and Michael Morris (“Morris 16 Parties”) that the franchise agreement was terminated based on the failure to cure the defaults. 17 (ECF No. 5 ¶ 37.) The notification letter told the Morris Parties to comply immediately with the 18 post-termination obligation to remove Wingstop trade dress from the restaurant and discontinue 19 use of Wingstop’s trademarks and other intellectual property. (Id.) 20 Wingstop alleges Morris CM continues to use the Wingstop marks, the Wingstop System, 21 display Wingstop trade dress, and hold the restaurant out as a Wingstop franchisee. (ECF No. 5 22 ¶ 38.) Morris CM has taken none of the agreed-upon steps to remove trade dress and marks 23 identifying the restaurant as a Wingstop franchisee. (Id. ¶ 45.) As a result, Wingstop alleges 24 Morris CM and Michael Morris have violated the Lanham Act by continuing to use Wingstop’s 25 intellectual property after termination of the franchise, and that the violations are causing 26 Wingstop to suffer irreparable harm necessitating injunctive relief. (Id. ¶¶ 50-52, 55-57.) 27 ///// 28 1 B. Procedural History 2 On November 15, 2019, Wingstop removed from Sacramento County Superior Court the 3 suit filed there by Morris CM for wrongful termination of Morris CM’s franchise, breach of the 4 covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and interference with economic relations. (ECF No. 1.) 5 The same day, Wingstop counterclaimed for violations of the Lanham Act and breach of contract, 6 adding Michael Morris as a counter-defendant. (Id.) On November 19, 2019, Wingstop moved 7 for a preliminary injunction. (ECF No. 8.) On December 6, 2019, Wingstop filed a motion to 8 stay the claims asserted by Morris CM on the basis that they were subject to a binding arbitration 9 agreement. (ECF No. 9.) 10 Neither Morris CM nor Michael Morris filed an answer to the Counterclaim, nor did they 11 file an opposition to the motion for preliminary injunction. On January 3, 2020, the court granted 12 Wingstop’s request for a preliminary injunction. (ECF No. 17.) That same day, Morris CM 13 appeared in the action by filing an opposition to Wingstop’s motion to stay. (ECF No. 16.) 14 On January 6, 2020, the clerk entered default against the counter-defendants for failing to 15 answer the Counterclaim. (ECF No. 18). 16 On January 17, 2020, the court held a hearing on Wingstop’s motion to stay—at which 17 counsel for Morris CM and Wingstop appeared—and took the matter under submission. (ECF 18 No. 20.) 19 In March 2020, Wingstop voluntarily dismissed Michael Morris as a counter-defendant, 20 (ECF Nos. 25, 27), and moved for entry of default judgment against Morris CM. (ECF No. 30.) 21 Morris CM did not file an opposition to the motion for default judgment. Preferring to resolve 22 the action on the merits if possible, the court provided Morris CM with an additional opportunity 23 to respond. (ECF No. 34.) Morris CM then filed an opposition, to which Wingstop replied. 24 (ECF Nos. 36, 37.) The court now considers whether to grant the motion for default judgment. 25 ///// 26 ///// 27 ///// 28 ///// 1 II. LEGAL STANDARD 2 Pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55, default may be entered against a party 3 against whom a judgment for affirmative relief is sought who fails to plead or otherwise defend 4 against the action. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). However, “[a] defendant’s default does not 5 automatically entitle the plaintiff to a court-ordered judgment.” PepsiCo, Inc. v. Cal. Sec. Cans, 6 238 F. Supp. 2d 1172, 1174 (C.D. Cal. 2002) (citing Draper v. Coombs, 792 F.2d 915, 924-25 7 (9th Cir. 1986)). Instead, the decision to grant or deny an application for default judgment lies 8 within the district court’s sound discretion. Aldabe v. Aldabe, 616 F.2d 1089, 1092 (9th Cir. 9 1980). In making this determination, the court considers the seven Eitel factors: 10 (1) the possibility of prejudice to the plaintiff, (2) the merits of plaintiff’s substantive claim, (3) the sufficiency of the complaint, (4) 11 the sum of money at stake in the action[,] (5) the possibility of a dispute concerning material facts[,] (6) whether the default was due 12 to excusable neglect, and (7) the strong policy underlying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure favoring decisions on the merits. 13 14 Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-72 (9th Cir. 1986). Default judgments are ordinarily 15 disfavored. Id. at 1472. 16 As a general rule, once default is entered, well-pleaded factual allegations in the operative 17 complaint are taken as true, except for those allegations relating to damages. TeleVideo Sys., Inc. 18 v. Heidenthal, 826 F.2d 915, 917-18 (9th Cir. 1987) (per curiam) (citing Geddes v. United Fin. 19 Group, 559 F.2d 557, 560 (9th Cir. 1977) (per curiam)); accord Fair Housing of Marin v. Combs, 20 285 F.3d 899, 906 (9th Cir. 2002). In addition, although well-pleaded allegations in the 21 complaint are admitted by a defendant’s failure to answer, “necessary facts not contained in the 22 pleadings, and claims which are legally insufficient, are not established by default.” Cripps v. 23 Life Ins. Co. of N. Am., 980 F.2d 1261, 1267 (9th Cir. 1992) (citing Danning v. Lavine, 572 F.2d 24 1386, 1388 (9th Cir. 1978)); accord DIRECTV, Inc. v. Hoa Huynh, 503 F.3d 847, 854 (9th Cir. 25 2007) (stating that a defendant does not admit facts that are not well-pled or conclusions of law); 26 Abney v. Alameida, 334 F. Supp. 2d 1221, 1235 (S.D. Cal. 2004) (“[A] default judgment may not 27 be entered on a legally insufficient claim.”) A party’s default does not establish the amount of 28 damages. Geddes, 559 F.2d at 560. 1 III. DISCUSSION 2 A. Mootness 3 In its opposition to the motion for default judgment, Morris CM argues that the 4 counterclaim is moot because Morris CM has permanently ceased the conduct that the 5 counterclaim seeks to enjoin. (ECF No. 36 at 3.) For this reason, Morris CM asks the court to 6 deny the motion for default judgment. (Id.) 7 The Supreme Court has stated that the standard “for determining whether a case has been 8 mooted by [a party’s] voluntary conduct is stringent: A case might become moot if subsequent 9 events made it absolutely clear that the allegedly wrongful behavior could not reasonably be 10 expected to recur.” Friends of the Earth, Inc. v. Laidlaw Envtl. Servs. (TOC), Inc., 528 U.S. 167, 11 189 (2000) (citations omitted). The “heavy burden” of persuading the court that the challenged 12 conduct cannot reasonably be expected to start up again lies with the party asserting mootness. 13 (Id.) 14 Consistent with this authority, lower courts have issued permanent injunctions in 15 trademark infringement cases even when a franchisee has ceased its infringing conduct. See, e.g., 16 Kissinger, Inc. v. Singh, 304 F. Supp. 2d 944, 949 (W.D. Mich. 2003) (although former 17 franchisee was “not currently operating a Baguette de France restaurant, a permanent injunction 18 will ensure that he does not do so in the future”); see also Mister Softee, Inc. v. Amanollahi, No. 19 2:14-cv-01687, 2016 WL 5745105, at *9 (D.N.J. Sept. 30, 2016) (former franchisee’s “alleged 20 compliance with the preliminary injunction is no defense to entry of a permanent one. A 21 defendant cannot automatically moot a case simply by ending its unlawful conduct once sued. 22 Otherwise, a defendant could engage in unlawful conduct, stop when sued to have the case 23 declared moot, then pick up where he left off.”). 24 Here, Morris CM has not met its “heavy burden” to show that it will not use Wingstop’s 25 federally registered trademarks and proprietary systems in the future. Although Morris CM 26 alleges it “has permanently ceased and desisted all operations as a Wingstop restaurant at 27 Wingstop Natomas,” (ECF No. 36 at 3), the record indicates that Michael Morris—Morris CM’s 28 sole manager and owner—is currently using the Wingstop name without authorization at another 1 restaurant at 7440 Laguna Blvd., Elk Grove, California. (ECF Nos. 37-1 at 32, 37-2 ¶ 2.) While 2 this alleged unauthorized use may be by Michael Morris personally, rather than by Morris CM, 3 Michael Morris’ exclusive ability to control Morris CM raises questions over whether 4 unauthorized use by Morris CM could recur. On this record, it is not “absolutely clear” that the 5 challenged conduct cannot reasonably be expected to recur. Accordingly, Morris CM has not 6 shown that the counterclaim is moot. 7 B. Appropriateness of the Entry of Default Judgment Under the Eitel Factors 8 Next, the court must decide whether entering a default judgment is appropriate under 9 seven Eitel factors. See Eitel v. McCool, 782 F.2d 1470, 1471-72 (9th Cir. 1986). 10 1. Factor One: Possibility of Prejudice to Counterclaimant 11 The first Eitel factor considers whether Wingstop would suffer prejudice if default 12 judgment is not entered. See PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. Supp. 2d at 1177. Such potential prejudice to 13 Wingstop would militate in favor of granting a default judgment. (Id.) Here, Wingstop would 14 potentially face prejudice if the court did not enter a default judgment. Absent entry of a default 15 judgment, Wingstop would be left without recourse against Morris CM. It will have no 16 assurances that Morris CM will permanently cease the preliminarily enjoined conduct. 17 Accordingly, the first Eitel factor favors the entry of a default judgment. 18 2. Factors Two and Three: The Merits of Counterclaimant’s Substantive 19 Claims and the Sufficiency of the Complaint 20 The court considers the merits of Wingstop’s substantive claims and the sufficiency of the 21 complaint together below because of the relatedness of the two inquiries. The court must 22 evaluate whether the allegations in the counterclaim are sufficient to state a claim that supports 23 the relief sought. See Danning, 572 F.2d at 1388; PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. Supp. 2d at 1175. 24 Wingstop asserts three counterclaims: (1) trademark infringement, (2) unfair competition, and (3) 25 breach of contract. (ECF No. 5 at 10-12.) 26 A claim of trademark infringement under section 1114(1)(a) of the Lanham Act requires a 27 trademark holder to demonstrate: (1) ownership of a valid mark (i.e., a protectable interest), and 28 (2) that the alleged infringer’s use of the mark “is likely to cause confusion, or to cause mistake, 1 or to deceive” consumers. Reno Air Racing Ass’n., Inc. v. McCord, 452 F.3d 1126, 1134 (9th 2 Cir. 2006). Additionally, the “ultimate test for unfair competition is exactly the same as for 3 trademark infringement: whether the public is likely to be deceived or confused by the similarity 4 of the marks.” Ketab Corp. v. Mesriani & Assocs., P.C., 734 F. App’x 401, 405 (9th Cir. 2018). 5 In the counterclaim, Wingstop alleges that it owns the intellectual property at issue and that 6 Morris CM’s infringing use is likely to confuse consumers. (ECF No. 5 ¶¶ 10, 47-57.) Thus, the 7 counterclaim sufficiently states a claim for copyright infringement. 8 The counterclaim sufficiently states a claim for breach of contract as well. The elements 9 for a breach of contract action under California law are: (1) the existence of a contract, (2) 10 plaintiff’s performance or excuse for nonperformance, (3) defendant’s breach, and (4) damages to 11 plaintiff as a result of the breach. Buschman v. Anesthesia Bus. Consultants LLC, 42 F. Supp. 3d 12 1244, 1250 (N.D. Cal. 2014) (citing CDF Firefighters v. Maldonado, 158 Cal. App. 4th 1226, 13 1239 (2008)). The counterclaim alleges facts to support each of these elements. (ECF No. 5 14 ¶¶ 20, 46, 59-61.) 15 Finally, in the prior order granting Wingstop a preliminary injunction, the court found that 16 Wingstop has a likelihood of success on the merits of its claims. (ECF No. 17.) Accordingly, 17 these Eitel factors weigh in favor of entering default judgment. 18 3. Factor Four: The Sum of Money at Stake in the Action 19 Under the fourth factor cited in Eitel, “the court must consider the amount of money at 20 stake in relation to the seriousness of Defendant’s conduct.” PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. Supp. 2d at 21 1176-77; see also Philip Morris USA, Inc. v. Castworld Prods., Inc., 219 F.R.D. 494, 500 (C.D. 22 Cal. 2003). “Default judgment is disfavored where the sum of money at stake is too large or 23 unreasonable in relation to defendant’s conduct.” Vogel v. Rite Aid Corp., 992 F. Supp. 2d 998, 24 1012 (C.D. Cal. 2014). 25 Here, Wingstop is not seeking monetary damages as part of its default judgment. (ECF 26 No. 30 at 5.) It is seeking only injunctive relief. (Id.) Courts have found that the “sum-at-stake” 27 factor favors granting default judgment when a plaintiff is seeking only injunctive relief. See 28 PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. Supp. 2d at 1177. Accordingly, this factor also weighs in favor of granting 1 default judgment. 2 4. Factor Five: The Possibility of a Dispute Concerning Material Facts 3 Once the clerk enters default, the court may assume the truth of well-pleaded facts in the 4 complaint (except as to damages). Thus, there is no likelihood that any dispute of material fact 5 exists. See, e.g., Elektra Entm’t Group Inc. v. Crawford, 226 F.R.D. 388, 393 (C.D. Cal. 2005); 6 accord Philip Morris USA, Inc., 219 F.R.D. at 500; PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. Supp. 2d at 1177. As 7 such, the fifth Eitel factor favors a default judgment. 8 5. Factor Six: Whether the Default Was Due to Excusable Neglect 9 The court considers whether Morris CM’s default was due to excusable neglect. The 10 record suggests it was not. Despite being served with the counterclaim (ECF No. 5), the request 11 for entry of default (ECF No. 15), and the instant motion for default judgment (ECF No. 30), 12 Morris CM failed to answer the counterclaim. Moreover, after the clerk entered default, Morris 13 CM has continued to participate in this litigation without attempting to cure the default. Even in 14 its opposition to the present motion for default judgment, Morris CM does not express a desire to 15 file an answer or otherwise defend itself. (Id.) Thus, there is no basis to find that the default 16 resulted from excusable neglect. This Eitel factor favors the entry of a default judgment. 17 6. Factor Seven: The Strong Policy Underlying the Federal Rules of Civil 18 Procedure Favoring Decisions on the Merits 19 “Cases should be decided upon their merits whenever reasonably possible.” Eitel, 782 20 F.2d at 1472. But district courts have concluded with regularity that this policy, standing alone, is 21 not dispositive, especially where a party fails to defend itself in an action. PepsiCo, Inc., 238 F. 22 Supp. 2d at 1177; see also Craigslist, Inc. v. Naturemarket, Inc., 694 F. Supp. 2d 1039, 1061 23 (N.D. Cal. 2010). Accordingly, although the court is cognizant of the policy in favor of decisions 24 on the merits—and consistent with existing policy would prefer that this case be resolved on the 25 merits—that policy does not, by itself, preclude the entry of default judgment. 26 In sum, upon consideration of the seven Eitel factors, the court concludes that Wingstop is 27 entitled to a default judgment against Morris CM. 28 ///// 1 C. Permissibility of a Final Judgment as to the Counterclaim only 2 By entering default judgment, the court will finally dispose of the counterclaim while the 3 original complaint remains. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 54(b) allows for this when there is 4 no just reason to delay entry of judgment: 5 When an action presents more than one claim for relief—whether as a claim, counterclaim, crossclaim or third-party claim—or when 6 multiple parties are involved, the court may direct entry of a final judgment as to one or more, but fewer than all, claims or parties only 7 if the court expressly determines that there is no just reason for delay. 8 Fed. R. Civ. P. 54(b). As previously discussed, Morris CM has not indicated a desire to defend 9 itself against the counterclaim, despite multiple opportunities to do so. Thus, the court finds that 10 there is no just reason to delay entry of judgment as to the counterclaim. 11 D. Terms of the Judgment to Be Entered 12 Having found that Wingstop is entitled to entry of default judgment, the court must 13 determine the terms of the judgment to be entered. Wingstop’s motion for default judgment 14 requests permanent injunctive relief, which was also requested in the counterclaim.2 15 The Lanham Act allows courts “to grant injunctions, according to the principles of equity 16 and upon such terms as the court may deem reasonable,” to prevent violations of its provisions. 17 15 U.S.C. § 1116(a). To obtain a permanent injunction, a plaintiff “must demonstrate: (1) that it 18 has suffered an irreparable injury; (2) that remedies available at law, such as monetary damages, 19 are inadequate to compensate for that injury; (3) that, considering the balance of hardships 20 between the plaintiff and defendant, a remedy in equity is warranted; and (4) that the public 21 interest would not be disserved by a permanent injunction.” eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 22 547 U.S. 388, 391 (2006). 23 Here, Wingstop has shown that it suffered an irreparable injury for which remedies 24 available at law are inadequate. Furthermore, considering the balance of hardships between the 25 2 Although the counterclaim also sought an award of monetary damages, attorney’s fees, and 26 court costs, such relief is not requested in the motion for default judgment; thus, the court does 27 not evaluate whether such relief should be awarded. Moreover, in the proposed order submitted in conjunction with the motion for default judgment, Morris CM indicates that it “seeks injunctive 28 relief only.” (ECF No. 30-1.) 1 parties, a permanent injunction is warranted, because Morris CM would suffer no cognizable 2 hardship from merely being prevented from engaging in unlawful activity, whereas Wingstop’s 3 trademarks may be further infringed upon if Morris CM’s conduct is not enjoined. Finally, the 4 public interest would be served by the enforcement of federal trademark and competition law. 5 Therefore, the court awards Wingstop its requested injunctive relief. 6 CONCLUSION 7 For the foregoing reasons, IT IS HEREBY RECOMMENDED that: 8 1. Wingstop’s motion for default judgment (ECF No. 30) be GRANTED. 9 2. Judgment on the counterclaim (ECF No. 5) be entered in Wingstop’s favor and 10 against Morris CM. 11 3. Morris CM Enterprise, LLC, its officers, agents, servants, employees, and 12 attorneys, and all persons in active concert or participation with any of them, be 13 permanently enjoined from: 14 a. Using the following trademarks, or any trademark, service mark, logo or 15 trade name that is confusingly similar to any of the following trademarks, 16 in connection with operating any restaurant or for any other purpose: 17 i. Wing-Stop (block letters) ®, registration no. 2,121,699, registered 18 December 15, 1997; 19 ii. WING-STOP THE WING EXPERTS & Design (Original Logo) ®, 20 registration no. 2,422,672, registered January 23, 2001; 21 iii. WING-STOP THE WING EXPERTS & Design (2014 Logo) ®, 22 registration no. 4,720,379, registered April 14, 2015; 23 iv. WING-STOP THE WING EXPERTS & Design (in color) (2014 24 Logo) ®, registration no. 4,842,661, registered October 27, 2015; 25 v. WINGSTOP (block letters) ®, registration no. 3,054,484, registered 26 January 31, 2006; 27 vi. THE WING EXPERTS (block letters) ®, registration no. 28 3,087,485, registered May 2, 2006; and 1 vii. THE BONELESS WING EXPERTS (block letters) ®, registration 2 no. 3,185,734, registered December 19, 2006; 3 b. Using Wingstop’s copyright protected material, including but not limited 4 to: 5 i. Manuals used in the development, operation, and marketing 6 activities of a Wingstop restaurant, including, but not limited to, the 7 Operations Manual; 8 ii. Training materials; 9 iii. Restaurant plans and specifications; 10 iv. Menu board designs and graphics; 11 v. Product identification posters and photographs; 12 vi. Advertising and marketing materials; 13 vii. Labels, forms, and reports provided by Wingstop; and 14 viii. Computer software developed by Wingstop or as works for hire for 15 use in the operation of the restaurants in connection with the 16 operation of any restaurant or for any other purpose; 17 c. Using Wingstop’s confidential and proprietary information (regarding, 18 among other things, customers, marketing plans and information, prices, 19 recipes, operating systems, suppliers, and similar information with respect 20 to products or services of Wingstop) in connection with the operation of 21 any restaurant or for any other purpose; and 22 d. Identifying their former Wingstop restaurant as a current or former 23 Wingstop restaurant. 24 These findings and recommendations are submitted to the United States District Judge 25 assigned to the case, pursuant to the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(l). Within fourteen (14) 26 days after being served with these findings and recommendations, any party may file written 27 objections with the court and serve a copy on all parties. Such a document should be captioned 28 “Objections to Magistrate Judge’s Findings and Recommendations.” Any reply to the objections MADE SLD UVM INIT INEZ MVOC, VO FNCU Ve AY VI A 1 | shall be served on all parties and filed with the court within fourteen (14) days after service of the 2 | objections. The parties are advised that failure to file objections within the specified time may 3 | waive the right to appeal the District Court’s order. Turner v. Duncan, 158 F.3d 449, 455 (9th 4 Cir. 1998); Martinez v. YIst, 951 F.2d 1153, 1156-57 (9th Cir. 1991). 5 | Dated: May 29, 2020 i; dp. | bie 6 CAROLYN K.DELANEY. 7 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE 8 9 | 17.2306.default_fr 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 13