Domino’s Loses Bid to Get Antitrust No-Poach Case Dismissed

Domino’s Pizza Inc. and its franchising affiliates must face an antitrust challenge to a “no poach” agreement barring the chain’s stores from recruiting or hiring one another’s workers.

The proposed class action by former Domino’s worker Harley Blanton plausibly claims the no-poach clause “depresses employee wages, lessens employee benefits, and stifles employee mobility,” a federal judge ruled May 24.

Blanton also properly alleges the involvement of Domino’s itself, not just its franchising arm and individual stores, according to the ruling by Judge Victoria A. Roberts of the Eastern District of Michigan.

The case is one of dozens across the country ...