Gov. Mike Beebe signed House Bill 1282 on Friday, immediately barring any liquor store franchise from opening multiple outlets in Arkansas, according to an e-mail from his office.
Roger Gildehaus, president of Missouri-based Macadoodles, said the law is aimed at preventing his company from expanding in Arkansas. He has vowed to work to overturn the law at future legislative sessions. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Robert Dale, R-Dover, said he filed it at the request of the Arkansas Beverage Retailers Association.
Gildehaus, a Bentonville resident, does not have a state permit to operate a liquor store in Arkansas but has said he wants to extend his Macadoodles brand to franchised outlets in Fayetteville, Fort Smith and Little Rock. Those outlets would be run by individually licensed franchise owners who would pay a fee to Gildehaus’ company. A Macadoodles that opened last year in Springdale is operated by a franchise owner, he said.
The law makes the Springdale location the only site in Arkansas that legally can use the Macadoodles name and other branding, officials said.
Rep. Jon Woods, R-Springdale, said he voted for the bill after hearing from legislators in other parts of the state who don’t want a Macadoodles or other franchise stores in their areas.
Each of Arkansas’ 419 liquor stores is required by law to be owned by an individual permit holder, and none can operate under a shared brand name, said Michael Langley, director of the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Division.