In the case, Flowers Foods contends that arbitration agreements signed by two of its independent distributors are binding while the distributors claim that a provision in the 1925 Federal Arbitration Act makes the arbitration agreement unenforceable.

The six-week antitrust trial accused the poultry processor of working with major players like Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Pilgrim’s Pride and many others to reduce the poultry supply chain, prior to the company's merger with Wayne Farms.

Tyson Foods Inc.’s motion to dismiss an antitrust suit against the company for allegedly driving a poultry rendering company out of the market was dismissed by a Georgia federal court judge on Nov. 8.

Following The Kroger Co.’s proposed acquisition of Albertsons, the Washington State Court granted a temporary restraining order on Nov. 3 on the basis that the company would be unable to compete if it paid the $6.85 per common share special dividend while the merger is under antitrust review.