UPDATE: Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. Files Lawsuit on Former Owner/Operators

MERIDIAN, Idaho, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. has filed a federal lawsuit against former Meridian, Idaho franchise owners after they continued to use the brand when their franchise agreement ended.

Dickey's terminated Lira, LLC and Luigi Mangione's Franchise Agreement on January 19, 2010 after they stopped paying royalties to Dickey's, a condition required by the Franchise Agreement.  Their continued use of Dickey's trademarks, trade secrets, proprietary marks, and decor has instigated the suit, according to company officials.

The lawsuit's official title is Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. v. Lira, LLC and Luigi Mangione in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.

"It is unfortunate that they did not keep up their end of the agreement," Dickey's President Roland Dickey, Jr. said.  "The relationships with our owner/operators are a top priority in our business and we are very disappointed about how this relationship ended. At this point we are most concerned about use of our reputation and brand without the quality control we insist upon in our restaurants."

United States District Judge Jorge A. Solis granted a Temporary Restraining Order in Dickey's favor on March 3, 2010 and a further order to extend the Temporary Restraining Order shortly after.

Dickey's is currently seeking to enforce the Temporary Restraining Order to the fullest extent possible.

Dickey's Barbecue, the largest barbecue chain in the country, is well-known for their hot pit-smoked barbecue meats, free ice cream, and free big yellow cups.

The first Dickey's Barbecue opened in 1941 in Dallas, TX. The original location is still open for business and Dickey's Barbecue is still owned and operated by the Dickey Family. Dickey's only began franchising in 1994, and now there are over 110 locations in 21 states. Even today, Dickey's still slow smokes all of their signature meats overnight in every restaurant.

www.dickeys.com

SOURCE Dickey's Barbecue Pit

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