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Little Caesars Lawsuit Is Getting Messy

By William Vogeler, Esq. | Last updated on

Good luck getting Little Caesars pizza delivered in Kansas City, thanks to a federal judge and a legal mess.

Judge Mark A. Goldsmith ordered the owners of nine Little Caesars restaurants to get out of the kitchen. It stems from a hot dispute between the corporation and the local franchisees.

Alan and Beverly Knox allegedly violated a franchise agreement, charging too much for $5 "Hot-N-Ready" pizzas and other wrongs. But it's going to cost a lot more dough than that.

No Pizza, Pizza

The chain started to break up last December, when half a dozen stores suddenly closed without explanation. Nearly 100 employees were out of a work.

It happened again this week when patrons found makeshift signs on restaurant doors. No pizza, pizza.

Employees told the Kansas City Star that they ran out of ingredients, but the that was only half the story. It was not the cheese; it was the judge.

In July, Goldstein granted a preliminary injunction against the franchise owners. The corporation had terminated their franchises, but the couple apparently kneaded to stay in business.

"Dissociate the Location"

The judge ordered the Knoxes to remove their boxes and almost everything else, including the kitchen sink. Actually, he said to "dissociate the location from the Little Caesars system."

Alan Knox submitted a report to the judge, saying they had complied with court order. The franchisees said they were selling some stores, closing others.

Little Caesars objected to the report. The company said they got the order wrong.

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