Larry Newton (appellee) sued Holiday Inns, Inc. (appellant), Barrett Properties, a franchisee of Holiday Inns, Inc., and James Irwin Stanley for injuries suffered when he was assaulted by Stanley outside the Shangri-La Lounge operated in conjunction with the Holiday Inn Motel of Augusta.
Appellant’s motion for summary judgment was denied. We reverse.
Appellee alleged that appellant owned, occupied, operated and maintained the Shangri-La Lounge and that appellant, its agents, servants and employees were negligent in failing to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises safe for appellee.
To prevail on a motion for summary judgment (Code Ann. § 81A-156), a defendant-movant is required to pierce the allegations of the complaint and to establish as a matter of law that the plaintiff could not recover under any theory fairly drawn from the pleadings and the evidence.
Werbin & Tenenbaum v. Heard,
Appellant presented unrebutted evidence to establish that it was not an owner or in control of the premises and that it had no control of the owner-operator of the premises or any of its agents or employees. Appellee offered no evidence of an agency, and relied on its pleadings.
The franchise agreement between appellant and Barrett Properties, Inc., owner of Shangri-La Lounge and Holiday Inn motel, created no agency relationship between them. The franchise gave no control, or right to control, the methods or details of doing the work of the franchisee.
Manis v. Gulf Oil Corp.,
This court and the United States District Court have been in accord in their treatment of similar licensing agreements in this state. Harwell v. Sheraton Gardens Inn, No. C-75-1058A (D. Ga., July 29, 1977);
Arthur Murray, Inc. v. Smith,
Appellee contends that appellant was an “occupier” of the premises within the meaning of Code Ann. § 105-401. However, in
Daniel v. Ga. Power Co.,
The incident on which suit is based is alleged to have occurred on May 27-28, 1975. James T. Wilson was appointed receiver of the property in question by the referee in bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia on March 12, 1973, and was operating the Shangri-La and Holiday Inn of Augusta as receiver on May 27-28,1975. A receiver is an officer of the court and is not añ agent or subject to the control of appellant.
Erikson v. Hewlett,
Finally, appellee has not alleged or established that appellant had any knowledge of “arrogant and quarrelsome” actions by Stanley. Knowledge by the owner or “occupier” or his employee of the dangerous condition created by a third person is a prerequisite to recovery under Code Ann. § 105-401.
Scheer v. Cliatt,
supra at 704;
Bowling v. Janmar, Inc.,
In the absence of any other allegation or evidence to support a theory of recovery against appellant, we conclude that appellant pierced the allegations of the complaint and established, as a matter of law, that plaintiff could not recover under any theory fairly drawn from the pleadings and the evidence.
Accordingly, it was error to deny appellant’s motion for summary judgment.
Judgment reversed.