Franchise Hostages: Fast Food, God, and Politics.

Every person has the right to free speech, including a franchisor's executives and its franchisees. But what of the economic interests of parties impacted by the controversial speech of their business associates? Despite the Constitutional right to speak, in practice, political or social commentary can be very costly for both franchisors and franchisees insofar as it impacts how consumers view the franchised brand. If it can be deterred or at least compensated, then the harm from this mixing of business and politics is a type of self-inflicted wound. Such unnecessary linkage of politics to a business brand may constitute a breach of duty to other business parties, who have rights to more ample disclosures, more robust remedies (such as counter statements), and other measures to protect the franchised network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]