How do I serve a company that has branch near me but possible headquarters 350 miles away in same state?
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How do I serve a company that has branch near me but possible headquarters 350 miles away in same state?
Hi there, I am going to sue a dry cleaner for ruining an item and refusing to fix it or pay for the fix we had to get elsewhere. Problem is to sue i need their exact business name and when i searched on the California Secretary of State website’s business search, a company came up with their name, but it is 350 miles away, still in CA. Is there a way I can find out their branch locations so I know if this is the right company. And also, for agent for process of service, that is also 350 miles away. Should I be serving the location that messed up my jacket, or the headquarters location? Thank you
Asked on January 23, 2019 under Business Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
If the branch location is owned by the main company (rather than being a franchise), you have to serve the headquarters, which means serving the agent for service of process. If the branch is a franchise, you can serve that branch, since franchises are, for this purpose, stand along businesses.
The only way to find out the branch locations would be on the company website (if they have a list of locations) or calling up and asking.
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