Franchising & Distribution Law Blog

On December 3, 2012, the Eighth Circuit reversed a district court’s decision that a Missouri state law claim was completely preempted by the Petroleum Marketing Practices Act (PMPA).

A Missouri plaintiff filed a class action against gasoline station operators, including MFA Petroleum, Casey’s General Stores, and QuikTrip, regarding the grade of motor fuel dispensed with single hose dispensers. The case was filed in state court alleging a claim under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA). Casey’s General Stores removed to federal court on two grounds: (1) the claim was preempted by the PMPA and (2) there was diversity jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act. The district court in the Western District of Missouri, relying on a similar Ninth Circuit case, denied the plaintiff’s motion to remand concluding that the state law claim was completely preempted by the PMPA.