Blanton v. Texaco Refining And Marketing

914 F.2d 188 Jerry A. BLANTON, an individual; J & S Petroleum Services, Inc., a Washington corporation, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. TEXACO REFINING AND MARKETING, INC., a Delaware corporation, successor-in-interest to Texaco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Defendant-Appellee. No. 89-35380. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted May 10, 1990. Decided Sept. 14, 1990. Robert H. Alsdorf, Armstrong, Alsdorf, Bradbury & Maier, P.C., Seattle, Wash., for plaintiffs-appellants. James L. Robart, Randall P. Beighle, Lane, Powell, Moss & Miller, Seattle, Wash., for defendant-appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Before WRIGHT, POOLE and BRUNETTI, Circuit Judges. BRUNETTI, Circuit Judge: 1 Jerry Blanton ("Blanton") sued Texaco Refining & Marketing, Inc. ("Texaco") seeking a declaration that the relationship created by the parties' "contract operation" contract constituted a franchise relationship within the meaning of Washington's Franchise Investment Protection Act, Wash.Rev.Code Secs. 19.100, et seq. ("FIPA"). Facts and Procedural History 2 Blanton has operated various motor fuels stations for…