Vikram Bakshi, the estranged partner of McDonald’s, on Thursday said the 169 outlets he runs in north and east India will continue to operate under the US brand. McDonald’s, which had last month terminated franchise pact that essentially meant the 169 outlets cannot use its trademark, said it would enforce its legal right to refrain Bakshi from using its intellectual property.
The National Company law Appellate Tribunal (NClAT) on Thursday refused any interim relief to Bakshi, who had sought a stay on franchise termination by the US-based fast food chain major. This left the fate of 169 McDonald’s stores in north and east India hanging by a thread as CPRl's licence to operate the outlets lapsed on September 5.
CPRl is an equal joint venture between McDonald's and Bakshi. In a statement, Bakshi said he asked Justice G S Singhvi, who has been appointed as administrator on the board of CPRl, to call for a board meeting to discuss the situation after today's hearing.