FT Travel-New York, LLC v. Your Travel Center, Inc.
FT Travel-New York, LLC v. Your Travel Center, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND : DENYING IN PART DEFENDANTS’ MOTION TO'DISMISS *
On February 13, 2015, FT. Travel New York, ' LLC, d/b/a - Frosch. ’’Travel (“Frosch”),’ filed this breach of contract action against Your Travel Center, Inc. (‘YTC”), YTC Travel, LLC (“LLC”), and Colin Weatherhead (collectively, “defendants”).
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
A. The Parties
Frosch is a travel management company that has headquarters in Houston, Texas and New York, New York.
YTC is an independent retail travel agency that is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California.
B. Frosch’s Relationship With YTC
Leibman purportedly first met Weather-head in 2009; during the ensuing five years, the men developed a personal relationship.
The parties also purportedly contemplated that YTC would receive significant cash payments and credits in the form of “commissions” and “overrides” from airline companies as a result of reporting airline sales through Frosch’s ARC office.
At some' point between 2009 and 2014, while Leibman and Weatherhead were purportedly negotiating a business agreement between Frosch and YTC, Leibman allegedly traveled to YTC’s office in Arizona to meet with Weatherhead and YTC’s other shareholders.
Unbeknownst to Frosbh, YTC allegedly entered into an agreement with another travel management company, Tzell Travel LLC (“Tzell”), on August 26, 2009 (the “Tzell Agreement”).
C. Frosch’s Purported Contract with YTC
In November 2014, Leibman and Weath-erhead allegedly resumed their discussion of a business arrangement pursuant to which YTC would report all of its airline sales through Frosch’s ARC branch office and Frosch would ultimately acquire YTC.
Frosch asserts that the Frosch Agreement was collectively negotiated-and drafted by Leibman and Weatherhead.
The Frosch Agreement allegedly requires YTC to report airline sales through Frosch’s ARC branch office.
Frosch alleges that the Agreement required YTC to report airline sales through Frosch’s ARC brianch office until Weather-head decided to sell YTC to Frosch.
“FROSCH and YTC wish to prepare for the following scenarios:
A) Colin Weatherhead. In the event Colin is no longer able to operate in his current capacity as CEO, the following will occur should Brenda [Weatherhead’s wife] and YTC’s Senior Management agree: 1) FROSCH will assume interim CEO responsibilities and work closely with ' YTC .senior management including Brenda, Robin [YTC’s COO], Jacki [YTC’s CFO], Chris [YTC’s CIO], and Shane [YTC’s Implementation and Training Officer] for $100,000 annual fee; 2) FROSCH will have an option of first refusal to acquire all • company shares except those of Robin Sanchez at the following formula (x5 trailing 12.months EBITDA with following adjustment for Colin’s takeout) whenever Brenda chooses to sell; [and] 3) Grant Robin Sanchez an additional 5% of the company to vest 3 years from effective date of FROSCH ownership.
*1071 B) Jacki. In- the event Jacki is no longer able to operate in her current capacity while Colin is still running YTC, the following will occur: 1) Colin/YTC will acquire Jacki’s shares at the following formula set out in Jacki’s current Ownership Agreement; 2) FROSCH will assume responsibility ' for the financial operations of YTC at the following térms (annual management fee of $120,000 which can be reviewed annually and adjusted if gross sales increase -or decrease by more than 25%).”40
Frosch alleges that these provisions reflect the parties’ intent that Frosch would ultimately acquire YTC’s business.
The Succession provision also states:
“[i]n the event that Bryan Leibman is no longer able to serve as CEO and President of FROSCH or if FROSCH changes ownership, the following will occur: 1) YTC will have, an option to continue with this agreement or to terminate at any time thereafter merely by providing 30 days written notice.”43 • .
Frosch contends that this provision addresses termination of the Frosch Agreement and evidences the parties’ intent that YTC would perform under the Agreement so long as Leibman still ran Frosch.
As consideration for the agreement, YTC was allegedly given access to Frosch’s network of service providers, preferred vendors, and support services, and paid increased commissions and overrides for airline sales reported through Frosch’s ARC branch office.
Paragraph 5 of the Agreement, titled “Guaranty and Indemnity,” provides:
“The individuals referred to as YTC in this agreement (and their spouses[) ] shall guarantee to FROSCH. the performance of YTC’s obligations under this Agreement and the payment of sums required to be paid to ARC in connection with the. issuance of ARC Traffic Documents from the FROSCH branch, and shall execute personal guaiv antees, in the form attached as Exhibit A. ;
YTC shall indemnify and' hold harmless FROSCH, its officers, directors, employees and YTCs (‘Indemnities’) from and against any and all liabilities, damages, expenses, • claims, demands, suits, fines, or judgments including, but not limited to, attorneys’ fees, costs, arid expenses incident thereto, which may be suffered by, accrued against, charged to,*1072 or recovered from the Indemnities arising from the negligent or wrongful act, error, or omission of YTC from their failure to perform this Agreement.”48
D. YTC’s Termination of the Frosch Agreement
The day after Leibman and Weather-head purportedly executed the Frosch Agreement, YTC allegedly provided notice to Tzell that it was terminating the Tzell Agreement within thirty days — i.e., by December 24, 2014.
Frosch alleges that, following execution of the Agreement and in anticipation of YTC’s commencement of performance, it advised its service providers, including major airlines, that YTC would begin to report airline sales through Frosch’s ARC branch office and that, as a result, the ARC branch would report a higher volume of sales than it had previously.
It also alleges, on information and belief, that Tzell acknowledged and accepted YTC’s initial termination notice.
E. Frosch’s Claims
Frosch pleads seven claims based on these facts. The first and second causes of action allege claims for breach of contract against YTC; the first seeks specific performance of the Frosch Agreement,
II. DISCUSSION
A. Legal Standard Governing Motions to Dismiss Under Rule 12(b)(6)
A Rulé 12(b)(6) motion tests the legal sufficiency of the claims asserted in the complaint. A Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal is proper only where there is either a “lack of a cognizable legal theory,” or “the absence of sufficient facts alleged undér a cognizable legal theory.” Balistreri v. Pacifica Police Dep't, 901 F.2d 696, 699 (9th Cir. 1988). The court must accept all factual allegations pleaded in the complaint as true, and construe them and draw all rea
The court need not, however, accept as true unreasonable inferences or conelusory legal allegations cast in the form of factual allegations. See Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 553-56, 127 S.Ct. 1955, 167 L.Ed.2d 929 (2007) (“While a complaint attacked by a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss does not need detailed factual allegations, a plaintiffs obligation to provide the ‘grounds’ of his ‘entitle[ment] to relief requires more than labels and conclusions, and a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of action will not do”). Thus, a plaintiffs complaint must “contain sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to ‘state a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.’ ... A claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678, 129 S.Ct. 1937, 173 L.Ed.2d 868 (2009); see also Twombly, 550 U.S. at 545, 127 S.Ct. 1955 (“Factual allegations must be enough to raise the right to relief above the speculative level, on the assumption that all the allegations in the complaint are true (even if doubtful in fact)” (citations omitted)); Moss v. United States Secret Service, 572 F.3d 962, 969 (9th Cir. 2009) (“[F]or a complaint to survive a motion to dismiss, the non-conclusory ‘factual content,’ and reasonable inferences from that content, must be plausibly suggestive.of a claim entitling the plaintiff to relief,” citing Iqbal and Twombly).
B. Legal Standard Governing Breach of Contract Claims Under New York Law
To state a claim Tor breach of contract under New York law, “a complaint need only allege (1) the existence of an agreement;, ,(2) adequate performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach by the defendant; and (4). damages.” Eternity Global Master Fund Ltd. v. Morgan Guar. Trust Co. of New York, 375 F.3d 168, 177 (2d Cir. 2004) (citing Harsco Corp. v. Segui, 91 F.3d 337, 348 (2d Cir. 1996)); see also Wolff v. Rare Medium, Inc., 210 F.Supp.2d 490, 494 (S.D.N.Y. 2002) (“To establish a breach of contract under New York law, a plaintiff must plead the following elements: (i) the existence of a contract; (ii) a breach of the contract; and (in) damages resulting from the breach,” citing Terwilliger v. Terwilliger, 206 F.3d 240, 245-46 (2d Cir. 2000)). At the pleading stage, the plaintiff must “‘at a minimum, allege the terms of the contract, each element of the alleged breach and the resultant damages in a plain and simple fashion.’ ” Lan Sang v. Ming Hai, 951 F.Supp.2d 504, 527 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (quoting Zaro Licensing, Inc. v. Cinmar, Inc., 779 F.Supp. 276, 286 (S.D.N.Y. 1991)).
C. Whether Frosch Has Plausibly Alleged Breach of Contract and Reformation Claims
Defendants seek dismissal of Frosch’s complaint on the grounds that: (1) the Agreement lacks material terms — specifically, a defined duration;
1. Whether the Agreement Lacks Material Terms
Under New York law, a contract must be “ ‘reasonably certain in its material terms’ ” in order to be legally enforceable. Hudson & Broad., Inc. v. J.C. Penney Corp., Inc., 553 Fed.Appx. 37, 39 (2d Cir. 2014) (Unpub. Disp.) (quoting Cobble Hill Nursing Home v. Henry & Warren Corp., 74 N.Y.2d 475, 482, 548 N.Y.S.2d 920, 548 N.E.2d 203 (1989)). In determining whether a contract contains all-material terms, courts apply a standard that-is “ ‘necessarily flexible, varying, for example with the subject of the agreement, its com plexity, the purpose for- which the contract was made, the circumstances under which it was made, and the relation of the parties.’ ” Town of Eden v. American Ref-Fuel Co. of Niagara, 284 A.D.2d 85, 88, 727 N.Y.S.2d 843 (N.Y.App.Div. 2001) (quoting Cobble Hill, 74 N.Y.2d at 482-83, 548 N.Y.S.2d 920, 548 N.E.2d 203). “In the absence of material terms, there is no contract and whatever agreement exists is simply too vague to be enforceable.” Gerard W. Purcell Associates, Ltd. v. Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Inc., No. 89 CIV. 7325(JFK), 1990 WL 106793, *2 (S.D.N.Y. July 24, 1990) (citing Ginsberg Machine Co., Inc. v. J. & H. Label Processing Corp., 341 F.2d 825, 828 (2d Cir. 1965); Arcan Transportation, Inc. v. Marine Midland Bank-Western, 54 A.D.2d 1103, 388 N.Y.S.2d 737, 738 (1976)).
Defendants argue that .the Agreement is unenforceable because it lacks certain material terms.
Under New York law, duration is considered a material term of a contract, and the absence of a term specifying duration can render a contract unenforceable. See, e.g., Ocean Group LLC v. Marcal Manufacturing, LLC, No. 09 civ. 7679(CM), 2010 WL 4963155, *7 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 2, 2010) (“Ocean Group’s Amended Complaint fails to "assert any of the material terms of the alleged contract, including the duration of the agreement and the terms of compensation”); Gerard W. Purcell Associates, 1990 WL 106793 at *2 (“Here, certain material terms were clearly lacking, such as the quantity of entertainers Purcell was to provide, as well as the duration of Purcell’s provision of ser vices during 1989— In the absencé of máterial terms, there is no contract and whatever agreement exists is' simply too vague to be enforceable” (citations omitted)); Perfect Trading Co., Inc. v. Goldman, Sachs & Co., 236 A.D.2d 221, 653 N.Y.S.2d 116, 116 (1997) (“The first and second causes of action for breach of contract were properly dismissed since, as found by the' IAS court, ‘at most the oral communications ... [reduced to] writing can be .construed only as an agreement.to agree’ and did not provide the material terms Of the contract related to compensation and duration,” citing Central Federal Savings, F.S.B. v. National Westminster Bank, U.S.A., 176 A.D.2d 131, 574 N.Y.S.2d 18, 18 (1991)).
Frosch argues that the Agreement contains a termination provision in the “Succession” section.
“In the event that Bryan Leibman is no longer able to serve as CEO and President of FROSCH or if FROSCH changes ownership, the following will occur: 1) YTC will have an option to continue with’ this agreement or to terminate at any time thereafter merely by providing 30 days written notice.”80
Frosch argues that, consistent with the parties’ intent and specific negotiations, this is the Agreement’s only termination provision.
Defendants argue, however, that the contract is “terminable at will” because it “lack[s][] a duration term”; as a result, defendants assert that they “were free to terminate [the Agreement] and cannot be liable for breach.”
In Companía Embotelladora Del Pacifico, S.A. v. Pepsi Cola Co., 607 F.Supp.2d 600, 602 (S.D.N.Y. 2009), Judge Jed Rakoff of the Southern District of New York denied plaintiffs untimely motion to amend its complaint noting, inter alia, that granting the plaintiff leave to amend its dismissed wrongful termination claim would be futile. Judge Rakoff had' previously rejected plaintiffs assertion that its contract with the defendant was perpetual, concluding that the parties had not expressly stated such an intent. Id. (“As the
Similarly, in Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. v. Northwood Projects, Inc., 95 Misc.2d 373, 407 N.Y.S.2d 424, 426-27 (1978), the New York Supreme Court declined to find that a stockholder agreement that provided stockholders would indemnify the defendant corporation and give it guarantees was perpetual, noting that there was “no provision in the stockholders’ agreement which required that [defendant] have a continuing obligation to execute guarantees with respéct to corporate debts incurred after his relationship with the corporation and other stockholders had been terminated.” Frosch does not argue that the Agreement was perpetual in duration, however; it contends that the Agreement includes a termination provision and thus is not void for indefiniteness. As a result, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is inapposite and does not compel the conclusion that the contract is terminable at will.
In their reply, defendants argue that the Agreement provides it is terminable at will, not merely under the circumstances enumerated in paragraph 9(C).
“(a) During the term of this Agreement and after its termination for any reason, FROSCH and YTC agree not to furnish to any person, firm, company, or corporation engaged in a business competitive with the other party, any-information whatsoever as to the other party’s relations, agreements, or contracts with its suppliers, its vendors (including, but not limited to* airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies), its clients (or the clients of other commission agents or contractors working with it) including the other,party’s client , mailing list, list of customers, suppliers, prices, terms, and negotiations, or other information concerning the other party, its employees, . contractors or their business.
(b) -Without the consent of FROSCH, during the term of this Agreement and after its termination for any reason, for a period of (3) three years from termination, YTC shall neither solicit nor service the clients of FROSCH who were clients of FROSCH, its commission agents or cbntractors at the termination of this Agreement or at any time in the previous (3) three years nor solicit officers, employees, or independent contractors to terminate their rela*1079 tionship with FROSCH. Likewise, without the consent of YTC, .during -the term of this Agreement and for a period of (3) three years from its termination for any reason,, FROSCH shall neither solicit nor service the clients of YTC who were clients of YTC, their commission agents or contractors on the date this Agreement was made or during its term, nor solicit officers, employees, or independent contractors to terminate their relationship with YTC ”86
Because this provision includes the phrase “after its termination for any reason,” defendants contend it is “clear[] that the alleged ágreement was terminable at will.”
This argument was not .raised in defendants’ motion,which asserted only that the contract was terminable at will due to “the lack of a duration, provision”;
2. Whether the Agreement Contains an Unenforceable “Agreement to Agree”
Defendants next contend that the contract is unenforceable'-because it purportedly contains several “agreements to agree.”
Defendants identify two purportedly impermissible “agreements to agree” in the Frosch Agreement—Paragraphs 9(A) and 9(D).
“Colin Weatherhead. In the event Colin is no longer able to operate in his current capacity as CEO, the following will occur should Brenda and YTC’s Senior Management agree: 1) FROSCH > will assume interim CEO responsibilities and work closely with YTC senior management including Brenda, Robin, Jacki, Chris, and Shane for $100,000 annual fee; 2) FROSCH will- have an option of first refusal to acquire all company shares except those of Robin Sanchez at the following formula (x5 trailing 12 months EBITDA with following adjustment for Colin’s takeout) whenever Brenda chooses to sell; [and]--4) Grant Robin Sanchez an additional 5% of the company to vest 3 years from effective date of FROSCH ownership.”93
Defendants contend that this provision is an impermissible “agreement to agree” because it leaves a material term, i.e., succession and Frosch’s option of first refusal to acquire YTC, subject to further “negotiation.”
Contrary to defendants’ contention, paragraph 9(A) does not leave “material terms of [the] proposed contract for future negotiation” by the parties. Andor Group, Inc. v. Benninghoff, 219 A.D.2d 573, 631 N.Y.S.2d 79, 80 (1995) (citing Schumacher, 52 N.Y.2d at 109, 436 N.Y.S.2d 247, 417 N.E.2d 541). Rather, it reflects that the parties negotiated and agreed on the steps that would be taken if Weatherhead was' no longer CEO of YTC — i.e., that Brenda Weatherhead and YTC senior management would meet and approve the succession terms detailed in the provision. It does not require the negotiation of new terms nor does it call for preparation and execution of contract documents; the price and process by which Frosch will acquire YTC is set forth in detail.
As a consequence, the court cannot agree that Frosch’s claims must be dismissed at this stage because paragraph 9(A) constitutes an “agreement to agree.”
As respects defendants’ second argument, ¶ 9(D) states:
“In the event other scenarios occur unforeseen above, FROSCH and YTC shareholders, including Colin and Brenda Weatherhead, agree" to meet in good faith to achieve an equitable outcome in*1082 the spirit of the cooperation between Bryan, Colin, Brenda, Robin, and Jacki — current ■ shareholders of FROSCH and YTC at the time of signing .this agreement.”97
Defendants assert this provision is an impermissible agreement to agree because it “acknowledges that the parties had not come to a meeting of the minds concerning critical issues of succession.”
While-paragraph 9(D)' might have been an impermissible “agreement to agree” if it was the sole succession provision in the Agreement — as that would indicate that the parties elected not to consider the issue of succession as part of the contract — the parties did negotiate various issues-related to succession. The fact that they did not negotiate or resolve all issues does not render the terms they did resolve an impermissible “agreement to agree.” Moreover, this provision represents nothing more than a contract to negotiate in good faith in the event unforeseen circumstances arise in the future. New York courts have routinely found such provisions enforceable. See, e.g., EQT Infrastructure Ltd. v. Smith, 861 F.Supp.2d 220, 229 (S.D.N.Y. 2012) (“[P]arties can contractually obligate themselves to negotiate in good faith”).,
3. Whether the Agreement Lacks Consideration
Defendants also contend the court should dismiss Frosch’s claims because the Agreement lacks consideration.
Defendants argue that because Weatherhead never signed the guaranty attached to the' Agreement as Exhibit A and because Frosch did not establish a new ARC branch office at YTC’s headquarters, as was contemplated, Frosch’s claims must be dismissed for lack of consideration. The court cannot agree.
Although under New York law, consideration is required for a contract to be valid, see Weiner, 57 N.Y.2d at 463, 457 N.Y.S.2d 193, 443 N.E.2d 441, “[a]s a matter of pleading,[] the -prevailing rule [among New York courts] is that consideration need not be pled in the complaint, and that lack of consideration is best treated as an affirmative defense.” Thomas H. Lee Equity Fund V, L.P. v. Bennett, No. 05 Civ. 9608(GEL), 2007 WL 950133, *2 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 28, 2007) (citations omitted). As a result, New York courts routinely deny Rule 12(b) (6) motions that seek dismissal on the basis of a lack- of
Because Frosch does not have to plead consideration to allege a plausible breach of contract claim under New York law, defendants’ motion to dismiss on this basis is denied.
4. Whether Defendants Are Bound by the Agreement
Defendants next contend that Frosch’s claims must be dismissed because the purported agreement does not bind any of the defendants.
a. Whether LLC Is Bound by the Agreement
Defendants first argue that the fifth and sixth causes of action against LLC and Weatherhead for signing on behalf of LLC must be dismissed because the claims “identify] as [Frosch’s] counterparty an entity that does not exist.”
In its complaint, Frosch alleges that LLC is a nonexistent entity.
b. Whether YTC Is Bound by the Agreement
Frosch advances two arguments as to why YTC is bound by the Agreement. First, it contends that the contract is enforceable as written, because'the reference in the contract to LLC is a mere “misnomer” for YTC.
(1) Whether YTC Is Bound Under the “Misnomer” Rule
“Under New York law, a contract entered into by a corporation under a ‘colloquial title’ is enforceable by either party, and ‘the misnomer is held unimportant.’ ” Spanierman Gallery, PSP v. Love, 320 F.Supp.2d 108, 111-12 (S.D.N.Y. 2004) (citing Mail & Express Co. v. Parker Axles, Inc., 204 A.D. 327, 198 N.Y.S. 20, 21 (1923)); see also Quebecor World (USA), Inc. v. Harsha Associates, L.L.C., 455 F.Supp.2d 236, 241-42 (W.D.N.Y. 2006) (“[T]he general rule is that ‘[w]here there is a misnomer ‘of the corporation in the contract or obligation sued on, the corporation may sue or be sued, and recovery may be had by or against it, in its true and proper corporate name,’ ” citing Walker v. Smith, 257 F.Supp.2d 691, 698 (S.D.N.Y. 2003)); In re D & B Construction of Westchester, Inc., 875 N.Y.S.2d 819, 2008 WL 4809405, *8 (N.Y.Sup.Ct. Nov. 3, 2008) (Unpub. Disp.) (“ ‘[I]t has been long held that a corporation may be known by several names in the transaction of its business, and it may enforce and be bound by contracts entered into in an adopted name other than the regular name under which it was incorporated.’ In short, ‘[a] contract entered into by a corporation under an assumed name may be enforced by either of the parties. If the entity of the corporation can be ascertained from the instrument itself, the misnomer is held unimportant; but, if not, evidence may be introduced ... to establish what particular corporate entity was intended’ ” (citations omitted)); Boisgerard v. New York Banking Co., 2 Sand. Ch. 23, 25 (1844) (“There is no doubt of the identity of the association described in this contract, and the misnomer therefore does not vitiate the transaction”).
“Accordingly, absent an allegation that, at the time of the contract, a plaintiff was under an actual misapprehension that there was some other, unincorporated group with virtually the same name as that of the actuái business entity, ‘the Court will not permit the [parties] to capitalize on [a] technical naming error in contravention of the parties’ evident intentions.’”
Frosch argues that the naming of LLC in the contract was a mere “misnomer” and that there is no dispute YTC was the party intended to be bound.
As defendants note,
Here, there is little doubt as to the identity of the corporate entity that was the intended party to the contract. As alleged in the complaint, in the five years preceding entry into the Agreement, Leib-man maintained regular contact with Weatherhead, whom he knew to be YTC’s president and CEO.
Where, as here, the identity of the corporation that was the intended party can be ascertained from the contract, the misnomer is “held unimportant,” and the “contract ... may be enforced by either of the parties.” Mail & Express Co., 198 N.Y.S. at 21 (“A contract entered into by a corporation under an assumed name may be enforced by either of the parties. If the entity of the corporation can be ascertained from the instrument itself, the misnomer is held unimportant...”).
Because it is clear, based on the terms of the Agreement, that YTC was the intended party, the court will not permit it to “capitalize on [a] technical naming error in contravention of the parties’ evident intentions.” Spanierman Gallery, 320 F.Supp.2d at 112. The court therefore concludes that Frosch has plausibly alleged that YTC can be held liable on the contract as written. See, e.g., Quebecor World (USA), Inc., 455 F.Supp.2d at 242 (“Although Quebecor repeatedly argues that defendants have failed to show that Harsha & Associates is the same entity as Harsha Associates, L.L.C., the fact remains that neither the complaint nor plaintiffs other submissions contain any indication that Quebecor was misled about the identity of the other party to the printing contract, or that the parties did not share a- mutual understanding in that respect. I therefore see no basis for subjecting [the individual .who signed the contract] to personal liability based on the slight variance between the name on the contract and that of the ‘real’ entity”); Spanierman Gallery, PSP, 320 F.Supp.2d at 112 (“Here, it is beyond dispute that ‘R.H. Love Galleries’ was intended to designate defendant R.H. Love Galleries, Inc. Importantly, Plaintiffs have not alleged that, at the time of the contract, they were under any actual misapprehension that there was some other, unincorporated group with virtually the same name as R.H. Love Galleries, Inc. Absent such an allegation, the Court will not permit the Plaintiffs to capitalize on that technical naming error in contravention of the parties’ evident intentions”); Assos Construction Corp. v. 1141 Realty LLC, 120 A.D.3d 1151, 993 N.Y.S.2d 23, 24 (2014) (“Contrary to defendant project owner’s contention, the documents detailing the scope of steel work to be performed by plaintiff subcontractor and setting a price for the work, are valid contracts that are binding on ■ defendant. The ■ documents were signed by defendant’s manager, and a mere misnomer in the name of the corporate entity will not free it from liability under the contract. The contracts are sufficiently definite and evince an obligation on the part of defendant to pay the price stated for the work. This is not inconsistent with the contract between defendant and the general contractor which specifically permitted defendant to contract directly with other contractors”); In re D & B Construction of Westchester, Inc., 2008 WL 4809405 at *8 (“In short, ‘[a], contract entered into by a corporation under an assumed name may be enforced by either of the parties. If the entity of the corporation can be ascertained from the instrument itself, the misnomer is held unimportant; but, if not,, evidence may be introduced ... to establish what particular corporate entity was intended.’ Here, there is no doubt as to what corporate entity was intended. Mitrione knew that he was dealing with the D & B entity that was located át 1000 Main Street, New Rochelle, New York. Since the Construction
(2) Whether YTC Is Bound Because the Contract Should Be Reformed
Alternatively, Frosch' seeks reformation of the contract to name YTC.
(a) Legal Standard Governing Reformation Under New York Law
“[R]eformation is available in cases of fraud and mutual mistake.” AMEX Assurance Co. v. Caripides, 316 F.3d 154, 161 (2d Cir. 2003) (citing Chimart Assocs. v. Paul, 66 N.Y.2d 570, 573, 498 N.Y.S.2d 344, 489 N.E.2d 231 (1986); George Backer Mgmt. Corp. v. Acme Quilting Co., Inc., 46 N.Y.2d 211, 413 N.Y.S.2d 135, 385 N.E.2d 1062 (1978)). See also John Hanpock Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Carolina Power & Light Co., 717 F.2d 664, 671 (2d Cir. 1983) (“Under New York law, a contract may be reformed if there is mutual mistake or a mistake by one party coupled with fraud or inequitable conduct of the other party,” citing Brandwein v. Provident Mutual Life Insurance Co., 3 N.Y.2d 491, 496, 168 N.Y.S.2d 964, 146 N.E.2d 693 (1957)); NGM Ins. Co. v. 52 Liberty, No. 7:09-CV-09003, 2010 WL 6501383, *8 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 6, 2010) (“Under New York law, reformation of a contract is warranted only in cases of mutual mistake — where the written agreement contradicts the intent of both parties — or in cases of fraud — where the parties have reached agreement and, unknown to one party but known to the other (who has misled the first), the subsequent writing does not' properly express that agreement”).
“A claim for reformation of a written instrument must set forth ‘(1) an agreement other than that expressed in the instrument; (2) the written instrument sought to be reformed; and (3) mutual mistake of the parties, or the mistake-of one party and the fraud of another.’ ” Citibank, N.A. v. Morgan Stanley & Co. International, PLC, 724 F.Supp.2d 407, 415 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (quoting Linzer Products Corp. v. Sekar, 499 F.Supp.2d 540, 549 (S.D.N.Y. 2007)).
“As used in the doctrine, of mutual mistake, mistake means being in error in one’s belief as to what the contract states.” AMEX Assurance Co., 316 F.3d at 162 (internal quotation marks omitted) (citing Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 155). “Reformation or rescission may be appropriate where a writing does not set forth the actual agreement of the parties.” ’ Travelers Indem. Co. of Illinois v. CDL Hotels USA, Inc., 322 F.Supp.2d 482, 495 (S.D.N.Y. 2004). It is an appropriate remedy where the wrong party is named in an agreement. See EGW Temporaries, Inc. v. RLI Ins. Co., 83 A.D.3d 1481, 1482, 919 N.Y.S.2d 752 (2011) (holding that the lower court properly reformed a payment bond, to reflect the intended, recipient, rather than t)ie one incorrectly named on the bond).
“New York law .... establishes a ‘heavy presumption that a deliberately prepared and executed written instrument manifests the true intention of the parties, and a correspondingly high order of evidence is required to overcome that presumption.’ ” Barbagallo v. Marcum LLP, 820 F.Supp.2d 429, 441 (2011) (quoting Chimart Assocs., 66 N.Y.2d at 574, 498 N.Y.S.2d 344, 489 N.E.2d 231). Plaintiff must establish that reformation is appropriate by “clear and convincing evidence.”
(b) Whether Frosch Has Plausibly Alleged a Claim for Reformation
(1) Fraud
Defendants do not move to dismiss Frosch’s reformation claim to the extent it alleges fraud. They focus solely on Frosch’s allegations of mutual mistake.
(2) Mutual Mistake
“ ‘In a case of mutual mistake, the parties have reached an oral agreement and, unknown to either, the signed writing does not express the agreement.’” Citibank, N.A., 724 F.Supp.2d at 415-16 (quoting Chimart Assocs. v. Paul, 66 N.Y.2d 570, 498 N.Y.S.2d 344, 347, 489 N.E.2d 231 (1986)). Thus, “ ‘[t]o plead a claim for mutual mistake, the factual allegations must establish that both contracting parties shared the same erroneous belief as to a material fact, and their acts do not in fact accomplish their mutual intent.’ ” Id. at 416 (quoting FSP, Inc. v. Societe Generale, No. 02CV4786 GBD, 2005 WL 475986, *15 (S.D.N.Y. Feb. 28, 2005)).
Frosch has adequately pled the first two elements of a reformation claim. It alleges that the parties agreed that Frosch would enter into the Agreement with YTC, but that’the Agreement named LLC, rather than YTC, as a party.
Frosch alleges that throughout the parties’ negotiations, Leibman and Weather-head discussed a business relationship between Frosch and YTC.
“Under New York law, while mutual mistake will justify rescission where the mistake exists at" the time the contract is entered into and the mistake is substantial ... it may not be invoked by a party to avoid the consequences of its own negligence.” De Sole v. Knoedler Gallery, LLC, 974 F.Supp.2d 274, 320 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (internal quotation marks omitted) (citing Da Silva v. Musso, 53 N.Y.2d 543, 550, 444 N.Y.S.2d 50, 428 N.E.2d 382 (1981)). Frosch alleges that it was YTC’s COO, Robin Sanchez, who filled in the identity of the counterparty on the Frosch Agreement as LLC, not YTC.
c. Whether Weatherhead Is Bound by the Agreement
Frosch asserts two distinct theories of liability against. Weatherhead. In the third cause of action; Frosch alleges that Weatherhead is- personally liable for the
(1) Whether Weatherhead Is Personally Liable Because He Signed the Agreement
Defendants argue that Frosch’s third cause of action must be dismissed because Weatherhead never signed a separate guarantee.
The court notes. first that, contrary to defendants’ assertion, Frosch’s third claim relies not on the unsigned guaranty as a basis for imposing liability, but rather on the Guaranty and Indemnity paragraph contained within the Agreement.
In assessing the signatory’s intention, court consider five factors: (1). the length of the contract; (2) the location of the liability provision in relation to the signature line; (3) the presence of the signatory’s name in the. agreement itself; (4) the nature of the negotiations leading to the contract; and (5) the signatory’s role in the corporation. Cement and Concrete Workers Dist. Council Welfare Fund, Pension Fund, Legal Services Fund and Annuity Fund v. Lollo, 35 F.3d 29, 35 (2d Cir. 1994).
In addition to the five Lollo factors, “[t]he Second Circuit has also suggested examining the structure and content of the signature lines to determine whether the agent intended to sign , the contract in his official capacity only.” Consac Industries, Inc. v. LDZ Comercio Importacao E Exportacao LTDA, No. 01-CV-3857-ADS-ETB, 2002 WL 31094855, *3 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2002) (citing Lerner, 938 F.2d at 5). See also TR 39th Street Land Corp. v. Salsa Distribution USA, LLC, No. 11-CV-7193-DF, 2013 WL 3090441, *6 (S.D.N.Y June 18, 2013) (citing Lemer for the proposition that courts may consider the signature line). “[T]he New York Court of Appeals has observed that ‘where individual responsibility is demanded the nearly universal practice is that the officer signs twice—once as an officer and again as an individual.’” Mason Tenders Dist. Council, 301 F.3d at 54 (quoting Salzman Sign Co. v. Beck, 10 N.Y.2d 63, 67, 217 N.Y.S.2d 55, 176 N.E.2d 74 (1961)). See also Israel v. Chabra, 537 F.3d 86, 97 (2d Cir. 2008). (“The most obvious indicator of intent is the form of the signature”)
Accepting the facts alleged in Frosch’s complaint as true, only the first Lollo factor suggests that Weatherhead intended to be held personally liable on the Frosch Agreement. The contract is seven pages long.
Each of the remaining Lollo factors weigh against a finding of personal liability. First, the Guaranty and Indemnity provision cited by - Frosch is located on page three of the Agreement, while Weatherhead’s .signature is on page seven.
The purported liability provision, moreover, is unclear. The Guaranty and Indemnity provision states:
“The individuals referred to as YTC in this agreement (and their spouses[) ] shall guarantee to FROSCH the performance of YTC’s obligations under this Agreement and the payment of sums required to be paid to ARC in connection with the issuance of ARC Traffic Documents from the FROSCH branch, and shall execute personal guarantees, in the form attached as Exhibit A.137
The provision is ambiguous in several respects. First, it identifies the indemnitors as “the individuals referred to as YTC in this agreement”; it does not mention Weatherhead by name. The fact that the reference is to “individuals” — plural—suggests that the intent was to impose liability not just on Weatherhead but on other officers of, YTC as well.
Returning to the Lotto factors, the third factor also weighs in Weatherhead’s favor. Although Weatherhead is named in the agreement, his name appears in only two places — in the succession provision and as the contact person for LLC.
The fourth factor also weighs in Weath-erhead’s favor. Frosch asserts that the negotiations that culminated in the Frosch Agreement were conducted exclusively by Weatherhead and Leibman.
Furthermore, the structure of the signature line weighs against Frosch. First, Weatherhead signed the agreement only once. See Jacobson v. Televida, Inc., No. 04CV163 (SLT)(MDG), 2005 WL 3609101, *5 (E.D.N.Y. Aug. 10, 2005) (a single signature weighs against finding the defen
Given its analysis of the relevant factors, the court concludes that Frosch has failed plausibly to allege facts showing that Weatherhead intended to be personally liable on the Frosch Agreement. See Mason Tenders Dist. Council Welfare Fund v. M.A. Angeliades, Inc., No. 05 Civ. 8211(LBS), 2007 WL 4208587, *14 (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 20, 2007) (declining to impose personal liability despite the fact that four factors weighed in favor of doing so because parties did not negotiate or even discuss the personal liability provision).
(2) Whether Weatherhead Is Personally Liable Because He Signed on Behalf of a Non-Existent Corporation
Frosch’s seventh cause of action alleges that Weatherhead is personally liable for breach of the Agreement because he signéd the contract on behalf of a nonexistent entity — LLC.
Defendants’ motion does not address this theory,- nor does it explicitly seek dismissal of the seventh cause of action. Defendants argue only that Weatherhead cannot be held personally liable because he never executed the guaranty attached as Exhibit A to the Agreement, an argument that is directed to Frosch’s third and sixth causes of action.
*1095 “Frosch argues that Weatherhead ‘is personally liable to Frosch because he signed on behalf of nonexistent LLC.’ But Frosch has. not alleged that Weath-erhead claimed to be an agent of LLC; rather, Frosch has alleged (correctly) that the designation of LLC was a mutual mistake of fact.by the parties, and that YTC’s COO (not Weatherhead) caused the error. Accordingly, the principle Frosch cites is inapplicable.”143
As a threshold matter, defendants’ assertion that Frosch “has not alleged that Weatherhead claimed tó be an agent of LLC” is plainly belied by Frosch’s allegations. Frosch pleads “[]on information and belief, [that] LLC is a" nonexistent entity, and [that] Mr. Weatherhead knew that it was a nonexistent entity when he executed the. FROSCH. Agreement on its behalf."
5. Whether Frosch Has Sufficiently, Alleged Damages
Finally, defendants assert that each of Frosch’s-breach of contract claims — i.e., the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh causes of action — must be dismissed because Frosch has failed adequately to allege damages.
In its complaint, Frosch asserts that YTC’s failure to perform its obligations under the. Agreement has damaged it because it lost the ability to acquire YTC’s business, lost the additional commissions and overrides it would have earned had YTC reported sales through Frosch’s ARC branch office, lost the additional revenue it would have received- had YTC reported hotel booking through Frosch’s global distribution system, and lost the additional revenue it would have generated from providing administrative support services to YTC.
6. Conclusion Regarding Frosch’s Breach of Contract and Reformation Claims
For the reasons stated, the court concludes that, as alleged and for purposes of the pleadings stage, the Agreement does not lack material terms and is supported by sufficient consideration, that defendants YTC and Weatherhead can be bound, and that Frosch has sufficiently alleged' damages resulting from the purported breach of the contract. Accordingly, Frosch has plausibly pled its first, second, and seventh causes of action for breach of contract. The court concludes, however, that Frosch has not plausibly pled the third cause of action seeking to hold Weatherhead personally liable on Frosch’s purported contract with YTC. It must therefore be dismissed. Additionally, because the fifth and sixth causes of action allege entry into a contract with LLC, a nonexistent entity, and have been withdrawn by Frosch, these claims must be dismissed as well. Moreover, the court finds that, at this stage in the litigation, Frosch has sufficiently alleged facts supporting reformation of the contract against YTC under both a fraud and mutual mistake theory in its fourth cause of action.
III. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, defendants’ motion to dismiss is granted in part and denied in part. The court grants defendants’ motion to dismiss Frosch’s fifth and sixth causes of action and dismisses those claims with prejudice. It also dismisses Frosch’s third cause of action against Weatherhead with leave to amend. The court denies defendants’ motion in all oth-errespeets. Frosch may file an amended complaint within twenty (20) days of the date of this order if it is able to remedy the deficiencies, noted by the.court herein.
Frosch may not plead new claims. Should the scope of any amendment exceed the scope of leave to amend -granted by this order, the court will strike the offending portions of the pleading under Rule 12(f). See Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 12(f) (“The court may strike from a pleading an insufficient defense or any redundant, immaterial, impertinent, or scandalous matter. The court may act: (1) on its own; or (2) on motion made by a party' either before responding to the pleading or, if a response is not allowed, within 21 days after being served with the pleading”); see also Barker v. Avila, No. 2:09-cv-0001 GEB-JFM, 2010 WL 3171067, *1-2 (E.D.Cal. Aug. 11, 2010) (striking an amendment to a federal law claim where the court had granted leave to amend only state law claims).
. Complaint, Docket No. 1 (Feb. 13, 2015).
. Notice of Motion and Motion to Dismiss Case (“Motion”), Docket No. 22 (Apr. 10, 2015). See also Reply in Support of Motion to Dismiss Case ("Reply”), Docket No. 32 (June 8, 2015).
.Opposition to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss (“Opposition”), Docket No. 31 (May 29, 2015).
. Complaint, ¶¶ 3, 10.
. Id., ¶ 10.
. Id., ¶¶ 11-12.
. Id., ¶ 10.
. Id., ¶¶ 4, 14.
. Id., ¶ 6.
. Id., ¶ 14.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 5 (“Upon information and belief, and as explained further below, Defendant YTC Travel, LLC, is a non-existent entity that is named as a Defendant in this lawsuit out of an abundance of caution in case it exists as a separate legal entity”).
. Id., ¶ 15.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 16. An Airlines Reporting Corporation,. or ARC, is allegedly an independent entity that serves as the clearing agent for travel agencies' sales of airline tickets. (See Complaint at 4 n. 1.) Travel agencies report their airline ticket sales to ARCs, which then coordinate the payment, inter alia, of commissions from the airlines. {Id.)
. Id., ¶ 16.
. Id., ¶ 17.
. Id., ¶ 18. A "commission” is an up-front payment made by an airline company to a travel agency, which is based on a percentage of the price of airline tickets sold. An "override” is a payment or credit made to a travel agency once the agency has reached a predetermined goal of airline ticket sales -through a particular ARC branch office. (See id.)
. Id., ¶ 19.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 20.
. Id., ¶ 22.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 21.
. Id., ¶ 23.
. Id.
. Id., ¶¶ 24-25.
. Id., ¶ 26. See also Complaint, Exh. 1 (“Agreement”) at 1.
. Id., ¶ 28.
. Agreement at 1.
. Complaint, ¶¶ 28-31.
. Id., ¶ 30.
. Id., ¶¶ 32-33.
. Agreement at 1.
.Complaint, ¶ 34.
. Agreement, ¶ 1.
. Id., ¶ 2(a).
. Complaint, ¶ 35.
. Id.
. Agreement, ¶¶ 9(A), (B).
. Complaint, ¶¶ 35-37.
. Id., ¶ 38.
. Agreement, ¶ 9(C).
. Complaint, ¶¶ 39-40.
. Id., ¶ 41.
. Id., ¶¶ 43-44. See also Agreement, ¶¶ 2, 4, 7.
. Complaint, ¶¶ 45-46. See also Agreement, ¶¶ 2, 7.
. Agreement, ¶ 5.
. Complaint, ¶ 50.
. Id., ¶ 51.
. Id., ¶ 52.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 53.
. Id., ¶ 53.
. Id., ¶ 54.
. Id.
. Id., ¶ 55.
. Id., ¶ 56.
. Id., ¶¶ 57-63
. Id., ¶¶ 64-69.
. Id., ¶¶ 70-74.
. Id., ¶¶ 75-89. See also id., ¶ 76 ("If the Court does not find that YTC is the correct, existing, legal entity that was the parties’ intended counterparty to FROSCH under the FROSCH Agreement, the FROSCH Agreement should be reformed' to reflect that YTC is FROSCH’s counterparty to the FROSCH Agreement, and is bound by, and required to perform under, that agreement”).
. Id., ¶¶ 75-82.
. Id., ¶ 83-89.
. Id., ¶ 91.
. Id., ¶¶ 90-95.
. Id., ¶¶ 96-100.
. Id., ¶ 97 ("As ah alternative to the First through Fourth Counts, if the Court finds that LLC is a valid and existing legal entity that is the correct legal entity that the parties intended to be FROSCH’s counterparty under that agreement, Mr. Weatherhead is personally liable for breaching the FROSCH Agreement”).
. Id., ¶¶ 101-06. The court notes, as a threshold matter, that the mere fact that Frosch alleges multiple alternate theories of liability against defendants and alternate bases for reformation against YTC does not render its claims implausible. Rule 8(d)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure allows a party to "set out 2 or more statements of a claim or defense alternatively or hypothetically, either in a single count or defense or in separate ones.” - Fed.R.Civ.Proc. 8(d)(2). If a party alleges alternate theories, "the pleading is sufficient if arty one of them is sufficient.” Id. See also Anheuser-Busch Companies, LLC v. Clark, No. 13-CV-00415 GEB, 2013 WL 3788426, *2 (E.D.Cal. July 18, 2013) ("Rule 8(d)(2) authorizes ‘[al party [to] state as many separate claims ... as it has, regardless of consistency’ ’’ (citation omittéd)).
"However, pursuit of alternative relief does not relieve plaintiffs of their obligation to plead’ sufficient factual allegations in support of that request.” Milo & Gabby, LLC v. Amazon.com, Inc., 12 F.Supp.3d 1341, 1353-54 (W.D.Wash. 2014) (citing Garcia v. M-F Athletic Co., No. CV 11-2430, 2012 WL 531008, *2 (E.D.Cal. Feb. 17, 2012) (noting that plaintiffs are allowed to plead in the alternative, but finding, on a motion to dismiss, that plaintiff must allege facts that "plausibly suggest an entitlement to relief”)).
.The parties agree that, based on the choice of law provision contained in the Frosch Agreement, the contract is governed by New York law. (See Motion at 5 h, 2; Opposition at 9; see also Agreement, ¶ 11(g).)
. Motion at 7.
. Id. at 7-8.
. Id. at 8.
. Id. at 6, 9-10.
. Id. at 8-9.
. Id. at 6-7.
. Id.
. Opposition at 15.
. Opposition at 15-16.
. Agreement, ¶ 9(C).
. Opposition at 15-16. See also Complaint, ¶ 39 ("The ‘Succession’ provision also addresses the parties’ termination of the FROSCH Agreement by allowing YTC to 'terminate' the agreement only upon the occurrence of a specifically defined event. The agreement provides that, if Mr. Leibman is no longer able to serve as FROSCH's President and CEO, or if FROSCH changed ownership, 'YTC will have an option to continue with this agreement or to terminate at any time there- - after merely by providing 30 days written notice’ ”); id., ¶ 41 ("As the parties intended, this is the only termination provision in the FROSCH Agreement, which the parties specifically negotiated. YTC was therefore required to continue performing under the agreement as long as Mr. Leibman was running FROSCH, or until Mr. Weatherhead decided to sell YTC — a decision that was entirely within YTC's control”).
. Reply at 4.
. In any event, based on Frosch’s allegations, there appears to be a reasonable explanation for the fact that the termination provision is included in the Agreement’s "Succession” provision. As Frosch has alleged, Weatherhead admired Leibman’s leadership skills and Frosch’s business model and performance under his leadership. (See Complaint, ¶ 15.) As a result, Leibman and Weatherhead purportedly planned to have Frosch acquire YTC after Weatherhead left. (Id., ¶¶ 36-38.) Accepting this allegations as true, it is reasonable that the parties would have agreed that the Agreement could be terminated if Leibman, whom Weatherhead purportedly admired and respected, no longer ran Frosch. (See, e.g., id., ¶¶ 39-42.)
. Motion at 7.
. Reply at 4 ("Nowhere' does the alleged agreement state that these are the only two circumstances in which LLC may ever terminate the parties’ relationship, as Frosch now contends”).
. Agreement, ¶¶ 8(a), (b) (emphasis added).
. Reply at 4.
. Motion at 7.
. Reply at 4.
. Motion at 7.
. Id. at 7-8.
. Id.
. Agreement, ¶ 9(A).
. Motion at 7-8; Reply at 5 ("While it is true that Paragraph 9(A) contains a defined formula, the application of that formula is expressly made contingent upon 'Brenda and YTC’s Senior Management’ agreeing in the future. If no such agreement is reached, the formula would not be applied”).
Agreement, ¶ 9.
. Although it declines to dismiss on this basis, the court does not, in this order, definitively decide that the Agreement’s succession provision is not an "agreement to. agree”; as most New York courts observe, this type of determination is not properly made at the pleadings stage, but instead following development of the factual record in the context of a motion for summary judgment or by the trier of fact at trial. See, e.g,, Caruso v. Grace, No. Civ. 2353(SAS), 2011 WL 4472479, *9 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 27, 2011) (denying defendant’s motion to dismiss a broach of contract action on the grounds that the agreement was "so lacking in definiteness that it constitute[d] nothing more than ‘a mere agreement to agree’ ”); Piven v. Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz L.L.P., No. 08 Civ. 10578(RJS), 2010 WL 1257326, *6 (S.D.N.Y. Mar. 12, 2010) ("While discovery will reveal whether Plaintiffs can prove, with any degree of precision, how Defendants applied the factors of the alleged ‘formula,’ at this stage of the litigation Plaintiffs’ allegations are not so indefinite as to compel the conclusion that, as a matter of law, there is no enforceable contract”). Compare Major League Baseball Properties, Inc. v. Opening Day Productions, Inc., 385 F.Supp.2d 256, 271-72 (S.D.N.Y. 2005) (granting summary judgment where, based on the evidence adduced by the parties, it was clear "there was never a meeting of the minds between the parties”). The court merely concludes, at this stage, that "taking the Agreement as stated by Frosch,” the succession provision is not so lacking in definiteness that it constitutes nothing more than a "mere agreement to agree.” Caruso, 2011 WL 4472479 at *9 ("Finally, Grace insists that the Agreement in question is so lacking in definiteness that it constitutes nothing more than ‘a "mere agreement to agree.’ Taking the Agreement as stated by Caruso, however, its content is clear”).
As Frosch" observes^ a court's determination of whether an alleged agreement constitutes an unenforceable "agreement to agree” is often a factual question that is best resolved on summary judgment. See, e.g., The court does not [Editor’s Note: footnote ends here in original copy.]
. Agreement, ¶ 9(D).
. Reply at 5-6.
.Motion at 8.
. Motion at 6-7, 9-10.
. Id. at 6.
. Complaint, ¶ 5.
. In its opposition, Frosch seeks leave to withdraw its fifth and sixth causes of action based on defendants’ concession that LLC is a non-existent entity. (See Opposition at 8 n. 4 ("Two of FROSCH’s claims are pleaded in the alternative based on LLC being a valid and existing legal entity. Because Defendants now concede LLC is a ‘non-existent counter-party.’ FROSCH withdraws those claims”)).
. Opposition at 11-13.
. Complaint, ¶¶ 75-89.
. Opposition at 11-13.
. Reply at 2-3.
. Id. at 3.
.Id. at 2-3.
. Complaint, ¶¶ 14-16.
. Id., ¶ 22.
. Agreement at 1.
. Id.
. Id. at 5.
. Id., ¶ 75-89.
. Id., ¶¶ 79-82, 83-89.
See Motion at 6 (“Nor is reformation warranted. Frosch’s counterparty as identified in the document is LLC, a non-existent company. The Complaint alleges that this was simply an ‘error’ by YTC COO. Even if that were the case, Frosch took no steps to correct that ‘error’ in the month leading up to its execution of the document. Frosch contends that inclusion of LLC’‘was based upon a mutual mistake of fact that is material and goes to the foundation of the agreement.’ If that is so, the proper remedy for a mutual mistake under these circumstances would be rescission”); Reply at 2 ("Frosch cannot have it both ways, and its initial position was the more correct one; the designation of LLC, an entity which was never formed and does not exist, is ‘material,’ and does go ‘to the foundation of the agreement.’ Because (as Frosch has alleged) this designation resulted in a mutual mistake of fact, rescission is the proper remedy”).
. See Complaint, ¶¶ 24-28, 30-31.
. Id., ¶¶ 29, 77-82.
. Id., ¶¶ 16, 21, 24-25.
. Id., ¶ 22.
. Id., ¶ 30.
. Id., ¶ 31.
. Id., ¶ 31, n. 1.
. Id., ¶ 50.
. See Motion at 6; Reply at 2.
. Motion at 6 (“Frosch contends that the inclusion of LLC"‘was based upon a mutual mistake of fact that is material and goes to the foundation of the agreement.' If that is so, the proper remedy for a mutual mistake under these circumstances would be rescission”); Reply at 2 ("Because (as F'rosch has alleged) this designation resulted from a mutual mistake of fact, rescission is the proper remedy”).
. Complaint, ¶¶ 28-29.
. Complaint, ¶ 72; Opposition at 21.
. Complaint, ¶¶ 103-05.
. Motion at 9.
. Id.
. Id.
. Id. Although defendants do'not directly make the argument in their motion, they appear to contend that the first, clause of paragraph 5 merely qualifies the second clause, i.e., that it does not create a contractual guaranty that is independent' of the Guaranty attached as Exhibit A. To the extent defendants advance this argument, it raises issues of contract interpretation that cannot be decided at this stage of the litigation. Although “[o]n a motion to dismiss, the [c]ourt may resolve issues of contract interpretation when the contract is properly before the court,” "all ambiguities in the contract [must be resolved] in [p]laintiff’s favor.” Serdarevic v. Centex Homes, LLC, 760 F.Supp.2d 322, 328-29 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (citing Chambers v. Time Warner, Inc., 282 F.3d 147, 153-54 (2d Cir. 2002); Banks v. Corr. Services Corp., 475 F.Supp.2d 189, 195 (E.D.N.Y. 2007)). Thus, "[w]here a contract’s language is clear and unambiguous, a court may dismiss a breach of contract cláim oh a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss.” Maniolos v. United States, 741 F.Supp.2d 555, 567 (S.D.N.Y. 2010) (citing Advanced Marketing Group, Inc. v. Bus. Payment Systems, LLC, 300 Fed.Appx. 48, 49 (2d Cir. 2008) (Unpub. Disp.); Rounds v. Beacon Assoc. Management Corp., No. 09 Civ. 6910, 2009 WL 4857622, *3 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 14, 2009); Wurtsbaugh v. Banc of America Sec. LLC, No. 05 Civ. 6220, 2006 WL 1683416, *5 (S.D.N.Y. June 20, 2006)). " '[W]hen the language of a contract is ambiguous, [however,] its construction presents a question of fact,’ which of course precludes summary dismissal’ ” under Rule 12(b)(6). Crowley v. VisionMaker, LLC, 512 F.Supp.2d 144, 152 (S.D.N.Y. 2007); see also, e.g., Psenicska v. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp., Nos. 07 Civ. 10972, 08 Civ. 1571, 08 Civ. 1828, 2008 WL 4185752, *4 (S.D.N.Y. Sept. 3, 2008) ("Where there are alternative, reasonable interpretations of a contract term rendering it ambiguous, the issue should be submitted to the trier of fact and is not suitable for disposition on a motion to dismiss”); Wurtsbaugh, 2006 WL 1683416 at *5 (“Where a contract term is ambiguous and material to the breach of contract claim, the claim may not be.dismissed for failure to state a claim”).
Here, it appears Frosch and defendants have competing interpretations of paragraph 5. After reviewing the relevant provisions of the Agreement, the court concludes the language could reasonably be susceptible of either meaning. Consequently, the court declines to dismiss Frosch’s third claim at this stage and instead construes the possible ambiguity in Frosch’s favor. See Maniolos, 741 F.Supp.2d at 567-68 (" ’[W]hen the language of a contract is ambiguous, its construction presents a question of fact,’ which of course precludes summary dismissal” on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion.... "[A] contract is ambiguous if it is reasonably susceptible to more than one meaning” (citations omitted)); see also Serdarevic, 760 F.Supp.2d at 333 ("To adopt Centex’s interpretation that Centex had an absolute right to terminate the Parcel 3 Agreement for any reason would make the phrase ‘based upon the Feasibility Studies’
. Agreement.
. Id., ¶ 5.
. Id.
. Notwithstanding paragraph 5’s reference to "[t]he individuals referred to as YTC in this agreement (and their spouses),” the Agreement does not define "YTC.” (Agreement, ¶ 5.) This creates a further ambiguity in paragraph 5 that the court declines to resolve in the context of this motion to dismiss.
. Id., ¶¶ 9, 11.
. Complaint, ¶ 28. See also Complaint ¶¶ 15-16, 21-22. 24-25.
. See Complaint, ¶¶ 101-06.
. Motion at 9 (“Frosch, asserts claims against Weatherhead in his individual capad
. Reply at 8 n. 9.
. Complaint, ¶ 103.
. Motion at 9.
. The complaint is ambiguous as to the time interval between the purported execution of the Agreement and defendants’ alleged termination and breach. Defendants’ assertion that the contract was terminated "within several days” appears to be based on Frosch’s allegation that Weatherhead emailed Leibman stating that "certain issues from both a legal and business perspective which have come to light over the past 48 hours” necessitated his termination of the contract. (Complaint, ¶ 54.) The complaint, however, does not state when Weatherhead sent the email nor does it attach the email as an exhibit. While defendants’ assertion may be a reasonable interpretation of the facts in the complaint, it is equally plausible that Weatherhead terminated the contract more than "several days’.’ after execution of the Agreement. ' One alternate interpretation, which'would be reasonable based on the facts pled in the complaint, would be that defendants terminated the Agreement at least five days after it was executed. This is so as it appears that the Agreement was executed'on November 21, 2014 (see Agreement at 1); defendants notified Tzell that it was terminating the Tzell Agreement on Novem
. Motion at 9.
. Id.
. Complaint, ¶ 69.
. Id., ¶¶ 19, 45.
. Frosch also alleges, in its claim for specific perfqrmance, that its reputation will suffer if YTC is not required to perform the contract because Frosch advised its longtime service providers to expect an increased volume of sales reported through Frosch’s ARC that never occurred. (Complaint, ¶ 62.) While, as noted, this allegation is offered as support for Frosch’s request that the court grant the equitable remedy of specific performance, allegations of reputational harm arising from a defendant’s purported breach of contract are sufficient to survive a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss. See, e.g., Samsung Display Co., Ltd. v. Acacia Research Corp., No. 14-CV-1353 (JPO), 2014 WL 6791603, *3 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 3, 2014) ("Likewise, SDC has adequately pleaded damages. SDC has identified specific injury in the form of damage to its goodwill and reputation — and that is satisfactory on a motion to dismiss. The fact that SDC’s damages are ‘difficult to ascertain’ does not strip its claim of plausibility” (citation omitted)); Hard Rock Café International, (USA), Inc. v. Hard Rock Hotel Holdings, LLC, 808 F.Supp.2d 552, 567 (S.D.N.Y. 2011) ("To state a claim for breach of contract under New York law, a plaintiff must allege damages. The Hard Rock Defendants allege that the purported breaches damaged their ‘goodwill, standing, and-reputation.' These allegations are sufficient to survive a motion to dismiss,” citing Smith McDonnell Stone & Co. v. Delica-
Reference
- Full Case Name
- FT TRAVEL-NEW YORK, LLC, d/b/a Frosch Travel v. YOUR TRAVEL CENTER, INC. YTC Travel, LLC and Colin Weatherhead
- Cited By
- 18 cases
- Status
- Published