Operations

By Chloe co-founder files suit against the fast casual

Chloe Coscarelli seeks to reclaim her name after her court-ordered removal from the growing brand.

Less than a week after vegan fast-casual chain By Chloe secured a $31 million investment, the concept’s estranged co-founder has filed suit against its current owners for trademark infringement, among other complaints.

“Chloe Coscarelli is universally and widely known as Chloe,” reads the first line of the 129-page, 14-count complaint against BC Hospitality and ESquared Hospitality filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Coscarelli, a former Food Network cupcake competition winner, was ousted from By Chloe last year after an arbitrator declared the TV chef had been “grossly negligent” in handling the brand’s business dealings.

By Chloe co-founder, Samantha Wasser, is the daughter of ESquared Hospitality CEO Jimmy Haber, also an investor in the concept. In the complaint, Coscarelli claims Haber retaliated against her after she rejected his “advances.”

By Chloe representatives have not responded to a request for a comment on the lawsuit.

Coscarelli also alleges in the suit that By Chloe’s quality has declined since her forced removal, harming her reputation since her name remains on the concept.

Coscarelli is seeking a jury trial in the case.

 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

The labor situation is better, but for how long?

The Bottom Line: The supply of workers is strong enough that restaurant chains can expand hours and go on hiring sprees. But limits on immigration could stop that.

Financing

Focus on dine-in customers, even as more opt for takeout

The Bottom Line: Data from Technomic shows that dine-in service builds equity with customers. So restaurant chains should not ignore it, even if most business walks out the door.

Financing

Social media is changing the restaurant industry

The Bottom Line: From the success of brands like Crumbl and Dave’s Hot Chicken to the struggles at Starbucks and McDonald’s, social media is playing a massive role in how consumers view chains.

Trending

More from our partners