Pizza Express Embroiled In Legal Battle

Idsnews:

Jeff Mease feels burned.

Mease, founder and CEO of the popular local chain Pizza Express, finds his business ensnared in a legal tangle with an Indianapolis-based business partner. The two companies have each filed dueling lawsuits in federal court.

A contract dispute arose when the investment group Pizza Head LLC developed a West Lafayette Pizza Express store last summer. Negotiations over the terms of a new licensing agreement had ground to a halt by fall and both parties brought claims to court.

The Pizza Express suit contends Pizza Head has failed to pay royalties for using the Pizza Express name since the dispute began.

The Pizza Head suit maintains Pizza Express sought an illegal franchise contract without proper registration through the Indiana Securities Division.

The business relationship has effectively dissolved, with Pizza Head renaming its former Pizza Express locations Hot Box Pizza.

Pizza Head — with leaders who are IU alumni — came to Pizza Express two years ago with the idea of opening stores in Indianapolis. They signed a license agreement for two locations, which Pizza Head now contends amounted to a franchise contract.