Magnolia Soap & Bath Co. has been through two significant legal fights: a 2020–2022 trade-secret and false-advertising dispute brought by its predecessor Buff City Soap, which settled for $50,000 plus product and advertising concessions, and an ongoing franchisee lawsuit filed in 2025 by Array of Soap, LLC in federal court in Ohio. The Magnolia Soap and Bath lawsuits span both sides of the courtroom, with founder Magen Bynum first defending against her former supplier and now personally named as a defendant by one of her own franchisees.
The Buff City Soap Dispute
Buff City Soap sued Bynum twice. The first case was filed on February 18, 2020, in the Northern District of Mississippi, alleging breach of her operating agreement with Buff City, trademark and trade-dress infringement, and false advertising tied to franchise sales.1vLex. Buff City Soap LLC v. Bynum
The second was filed on July 9, 2021, in the Western District of Tennessee. Buff City alleged Bynum used its confidential recipe book, manufacturing processes, and client databases to build Magnolia’s competing product line, and that she falsely advertised those products as having “healing and reparative properties” and as being sold in pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Two Magnolia franchise operators, Hope in Soap Collierville, LLC and Vanguard Enterprises, Inc., were also named.2Commercial Appeal. Former Buff City Soap Affiliate in Hot Water Over Lawsuit3GovInfo. Buff City Soap LLC v. Bynum, Case No. 2:21-02462-JPM-cgc
Bynum’s attorney called the suit “without merit,” and Bynum publicly described Buff City as a venture-capital-backed “Goliath” against her woman-owned small business.2Commercial Appeal. Former Buff City Soap Affiliate in Hot Water Over Lawsuit
In May 2022, Judge Jon McCalla dismissed the Tennessee trade-secret claims as duplicative of the Mississippi action, leaving only the false-advertising claim standing in that forum.4Oxford Eagle. Court Ruling on Buff City Soap, Magnolia Soap Case Washes Away Part of Corporate Fight The parties settled out of court in July 2022. According to Magnolia’s own Franchise Disclosure Document, the company accepted no liability but agreed to pay Buff City $50,000, phase out certain product lines, and stop using certain advertising claims.5Franchise Times. Magnolia Soap and Bath’s Founder Aims to Elevate Natural Care Products
The Array of Soap Franchisee Lawsuit
On March 5, 2025, Magnolia franchisee Array of Soap, LLC sued the franchisor and Emily Burriss in the Court of Common Pleas for Fairfield County, Ohio. The defendants removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on April 1, 2025, where it is docketed as Case No. 2:25-cv-00339.6Justia. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC
The original complaint brought four claims:
- Fraud, based on allegedly false representations made in connection with the franchise relationship.
- Breach of contract, alleging Magnolia failed to honor terms of the franchise agreement.
- Violation of the Ohio Business Opportunity Plan Act, a state consumer-protection statute governing franchise-like business sales.
- Unjust enrichment, alleging the defendants benefited unfairly at the franchisee’s expense.
Array of Soap’s first amended complaint also sought rescission of the franchise agreement.6Justia. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC
Bynum Added as a Personal Defendant
Discovery between August and October 2025 produced financial records from third-party banks and accountants that, according to the franchisee, showed Magnolia’s owner Angela Magen Snyder Bynum had commingled her personal assets with the company’s. Separate discovery responses in September 2025 produced what Array of Soap called misleading statements about Magnolia’s product ingredients.6Justia. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC
On November 25, 2025, Magistrate Judge Chelsey M. Vascura granted Array of Soap leave to file a second amended complaint. The amended pleading added Bynum personally as a defendant on an alter-ego theory, arguing the corporate form should not shield her from individual liability because she allegedly treated company funds as her own. It also added claims based on the newly discovered allegations about ingredients and financial misrepresentations. The defendants’ pending motion to dismiss was terminated as moot.6Justia. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC
Where the Case Stands in 2026
The case has stayed active throughout 2026. In March, the court denied the defendants’ motion to stay discovery while a venue-transfer motion was pending. In April, the court granted in part Array of Soap’s motion to compel discovery compliance and imposed sanctions in part.7PACER Monitor. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC
On May 22, 2026, the court extended case deadlines: fact discovery closes on August 14, 2026, expert disclosures are due in late 2026, and dispositive motions are due by February 8, 2027. On May 29, 2026, Judge Vascura allowed the plaintiff to drop a Jane Doe defendant without prejudice.8Leagle. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC7PACER Monitor. Array of Soap, LLC v. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC The case remains pending against Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. FRCH, LLC, Emily Burriss, and Magen Bynum. No ruling has resolved the underlying claims.
The Company During Litigation
Magnolia has continued to operate and grow while the Ohio case proceeds. The company began franchising in 2020 and by mid-2026 ran more than 50 locations across 17 states.9BusinessWire. Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. Selects Square to Power Its 50-Location Retail Franchise Magen Bynum remains the founder.5Franchise Times. Magnolia Soap and Bath’s Founder Aims to Elevate Natural Care Products