Latest news with #Joe'sStoneCrab
Chicago Tribune
12-08-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Longtime partner in Chicago Joe's Stone Crab sues Lettuce Entertain You for fraud
A longtime business partner is suing Chicago-based Lettuce Entertain You and its co-founder Rich Melman for allegedly squeezing him out of his ownership interest in the chain's popular Joe's Stone Crab restaurants. Gerard Centioli, who formed ICON with Melman in 1999 to expand restaurants such as Joe's Stone Crab in Miami to Chicago and other markets, alleges his equity interests were fraudulently transferred to Lettuce in a 'fake sale,' according to the lawsuit filed Friday in Cook County Circuit Court. The lawsuit also alleges Centioli is owed millions of dollars in annual management fees for the Joe's restaurants dating back to 2018. Centioli had agreed to forgo most of those fees for two years in 2016 and 2017 as a 'good business partner' to help Lettuce preserve needed cash, but the payments never resumed, according to the lawsuit. In addition to Melman and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, the lawsuit names R.J. Melman, the co-founder's son who became president of the family-owned restaurant group in 2017 and added the CEO role this year, among the defendants. It characterizes the actions of Chicago's most prominent restaurant family as no less than a 'corporate coup' against its outside partners. 'Richard Melman, for his part, abandoned a friend of over 40 years, betrayed a business partner, and violated a shared legacy in favor of allowing R.J. to consolidate power, resources, and influence for their family's financial gain,' the lawsuit stated. 'This is a tragic end to a proud tradition of partnership, cuisine, connection, and accomplishment.' Lettuce Entertain You issued a statement Tuesday in response to the lawsuit. 'The allegations made by Mr. Centioli are without merit,' Lettuce Entertain You said. 'Beyond that, our policy is not to comment on pending litigation, but we look forward to sharing our side of the story.' Founded in 1971 by Melman and Jerry Orzoff, Lettuce hit it big with its first restaurant, the quirky R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park, and the company has continued to break new culinary ground and expand its portfolio over the decades. While some names have come and gone, Lettuce owns, manages and licenses 60 brands in 12 states, with offerings ranging from fast casual to fine dining. The highly successful Joe's outposts in Chicago and two other cities, however, stand apart from the restaurant group and were never fully under the Lettuce Entertain You corporate umbrella. Launched in 2000, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in River North was the first expansion of the legendary Miami restaurant, and the first venture for the fledgling ICON, which was composed of Centioli, Melman and a third partner, Michael Fox. ICON struck an exclusive licensing deal with the family that owns the century-old Joe's Stone Crab in Miami to bring the concept to other cities, subsequently adding restaurants in Las Vegas and Washington. The Miami import opened to rave reviews and large crowds in Chicago, and continues to do big business 25 years later. Centioli served as the inaugural president and CEO of ICON. Joe's Chicago entered into a management agreement where Lettuce Entertain You received a fee for operating the restaurant, with a portion paid to ICON, according to the lawsuit. A similar management deal was set up for Joe's Las Vegas, which opened in 2004. ICON's second venture was a January 2000 agreement to expand North Carolina-based Krispy Kreme to other markets, opening up a dozen locations of the beloved southern donut shop on the West Coast. In 2010, in the wake of the Great Recession, Rich Melman decided to slow down ICON's search for other brands to expand, focusing instead on Joe's, Krispy Kreme and the Lettuce portfolio, according to the lawsuit. The three partners then entered into an agreement under which Centioli sold Melman a portion of his indirect interest in the two Joe's restaurants, but continued as a manager of ICON. Centioli also ceded authority over restaurant personnel decisions, according to the lawsuit. As part of the 2010 agreement, Centioli gained the rights to ICON's intellectual property, and the partnership with Melman and Fox changed its name to Stone Dozen. In 2012, Centioni transferred his interests in Stone Dozen to ICONcepts, a corporate entity he created. The partnership between Stone Dozen and Lettuce began to deteriorate soon thereafter. When Joe's opened its Washington D.C. restaurant in January 2014, Lettuce launched it as a subsidiary, cutting Stone Dozen and its non-Melman partners entirely out of the deal, according to the lawsuit. By 2016, the disenfranchisement went one step further, excluding Centioli from all management income in the successful business partnership he helped build with Melman, according to a lawsuit. Centioli and Fox agreed to temporarily forgo Stone Dozen's management fees in 2016 and 2017 after Melman represented that Lettuce 'needs the fees' to help cover its costs, according to the lawsuit. 'It was not until 2024 that Lettuce informed Gerard that they always intended for Lettuce to keep the entire management fee for itself, permanently,' the lawsuit stated. Needing to raise cash to cover tax liabilities during what he believed to be a temporary cessation of management fees in 2016, Centioli's ICONcepts sold a portion of its equity in the Joe's Chicago and Las Vegas restaurants to Melman, along with some equity in Krispy Kreme, according to the lawsuit. In 2018, with both the Joe's restaurants and Krispy Kreme doing brisk business, Centioli approached Melman about 'putting ICON back together' and finding additional brands to add to the portfolio. Gerard and his son, Lauren Centioli, a partner in ICONcepts, began meeting with Rich and his son, R.J. Melman, to discuss the concept they dubbed ICON 2.0. In 2020, they created ICON Consulting as a subsidiary of Stone Dozen to explore new restaurant expansion opportunities. Topping the list was an effort to take Chicago steakhouse Gene & Georgetti's to other markets, following the successful model they created 20 years earlier with Joe's Stone Crab. In 2021, they formed a development partnership with the restaurant that never came to fruition, according to the lawsuit. Another matter for discussion with ICON 2.0 involved call rights, which allowed surviving members to buy out deceased partners' shares. With Centioli's stake vested in ICONcepts – a corporation that would never die – it became an issue for Rich Melman, who wanted to ensure he could pass his stake onto his son, according to the lawsuit. 'The Lettuce Defendants began to perceive betraying ICONcepts as a viable alternative to a good faith negotiation,' the lawsuit stated. 'They would wait, however, to act on this concern while stringing ICONcepts along.' Lettuce did make some concessions during the ICON 2.0 negotiations, notably awarding ICONcepts a 5% stake in Joe's Washington restaurant in 2022, along with a cash payment to cover the taxes associated with the transfer, according to the lawsuit. In December 2022, Gerard Centioli and R.J. Melman 'shook hands' on an ICON 2.0 agreement to settle back management fees and pay a fee/salary going forward to ICONcepts, according to the lawsuit. At that point, Stone Dozen was owed more than $4.3 million dollars, according to the lawsuit, with Centioli and ICONcepts entitled to a portion of that money. 'However, in violation of the Handshake Agreement, Lettuce continues to keep all management fees for itself, effectively embezzling millions of dollars in funds that it knew it was required to remit to Stone Dozen and/or ICONcepts,' the lawsuit states. The strained partnership went further south in 2024 with the corporate ascension of R.J. Melman at Lettuce and the expensive failure of Chicago restaurant Aba in Miami, the lawsuit alleges. Things came to a head earlier this year when R.J. Melman made it clear that he didn't share his father's belief in the ICON model, according to the lawsuit. 'This basic philosophical difference was laid bare at a January 4, 2025 negotiation in which R.J. asked Centioli rhetorically why he would settle for any structure that required sharing 50% with ICONcepts when Lettuce could instead go it alone and take 100% of the equity for itself,' the lawsuit stated. In February, Lettuce repudiated the handshake agreement and in March, formally 'terminated' Centioli, according to the lawsuit. The final salvo arrived on April 15, when Rich and R.J. Melman sent 'fake sale documents' to Centioli purporting to provide notice that ICONcepts had sold its interests in the three Joe's restaurants to Lettuce, according to the lawsuit. 'This sham transaction is the opus of the fraudulent scheme that Defendants conspired to foist upon ICONcepts, Gerard, and his children,' the lawsuit states. Accompanying the sale documents were cashier's checks payable to ICONcepts that 'grossly understated' the value of its interests in the Joe's restaurants, according to the lawsuit. The checks went uncashed and became void after 90 days. Last month, Lettuce deposited the money from the uncashed checks into an interest-bearing account on behalf of ICONcepts, but Centioli 'has never agreed that the buyouts were legally valid or appropriately calculated,' according to the lawsuit. On Friday, Centioli filed a 20-count breach of fiduciary duty and fraud lawsuit against Lettuce Entertain You and the Melmans seeking to declare the buyout transactions invalid, restitution for the restaurant group's unlawful gains and damages. A hearing is set for Oct.10 in Cook County Circuit Court.
Miami Herald
07-08-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Cost of a Miami milkshake? A Pub Sub? Cuban coffee? Check out the price-o-meter
Prices are going up. We feel it in South Florida every day at the store and in the restaurant. And with a bunch of President Donald Trump's tarriffs taking effect Aug. 7, they may go up even more. The average financial impact on families due to tariffs will be $2,400 this year, according to NPR. That's on top of a rise in the consumer price index, basically what we pay for goods and services, resulting in a 12-month inflation rate of nearly 3%. Teri Williams, president and chief operating officer of OneUnited Bank, says factors like 'a tight job market, higher interest rates and an economic slowdown' all contribute to the price increases on goods and services. Increasing rent and the cost of supplies can also play a part in price changes. 'The plastic bottles that your juice goes in, the tops, the paper towels, everything is expensive,' said Brandon Moehling, chief operating officer of South Miami-Dade farm and fruit stand Robert is Here. So, it's time to revive our Miami Herald 'Price-o-Meter' to check if and how much consumer prices have gone up at some of our favorite South Florida places. This was not a scientific survey. We informally checked prices from 2022 and in July 2025 to see how much more we're paying at nine spots in Miami-Dade and Broward. Note that the prices, collected from the businesses, Yelp, menus and company websites, may not exactly reflect what you'll pay if you walk in today — but it gives an idea of what's happening out there. Here's what we found: PRICE UP: Knaus Berry Farm, known for its cinnamon rolls, has increased prices. Knaus Berry Farm is closed for the summer and will reopen in November, the prices on their website indicate a dozen cinnamon rolls cost $16.75, up from $14.50 in 2022. Knaus Berrry Farm is at 15980 SW 248th St. in South Miami-Dade. UNCHANGED/PRICE UP: A good breakfast to start your day is always essential. Luckily, the price of one essential item' hasn't changed from 2022: the $1.25 pastelito at Versaille. But a cafe con leche will cost you more, $3.25, increased from $1.75 in 2022. Versailles is at 3555 SW Eighth St. in Miami.5 PRICE UP: Zoo Miami has increased prices since 2022. An adult ticket is now $25.95, up from $22.95, and a child's ticket is $21.95, up from $18.95. Zoo Miami is at 12400 SW 152nd St. in South Miami-Dade. UNCHANGED: Stone crabs at Joe's Stone Crab have stayed the same since 2022, according to our informal survey. An order of select, or small, order of stone crabs from Joe's Stone Crab costs $54.99, a large order, $69.95, and a jumbo order, $129.95. Joe's Stone Crab is in South Beach at 11 Washington Ave.9 PRICE UP: At Jaxson's Ice Cream Parlor, customers have seen a price increase. A regular ice cream sundae costs $14.50, up from $13.85 in 2022. Jaxson's is at 128 S. Federal Hwy. in Dania Beach. PRICE UP: The price of a chicken tender whole sub at Publix has jumped from $9.49 in 2022 to $11.99 now. Note: Prices may vary by store. PRICE UP: Beef patties at Golden Krust, a Jamaican fast-food chain, have increased over the past few years. In 2022, a beef patty cost $2.95. Currently, the cost is $3.75 PRICE UP: Who doesn't love a good summertime drink? If you want a mojito at Little Havana restaurant and bar Mofongo, expect a price increase. The drink now costs $12, up from its 2022 price of $10. Mofongo is at 1644 SW Eighth St. in Miami.. PRICE UP: As football season starts, fans will likely see an increase in ticket prices to see the Miami Dolphins play at Hard Rock Stadium. The average ticket price increased from $94.95 in the 2022-2023 football season, according to data site Statista, to $104.95 in the 2023-2024 football season. This year's prices have not been listed, according to our survey. PRICE UP: The South Miami-Dade fruit stand and grocer Robert Is Here has increased prices for its milkshakes. In 2022, a milkshake was $8 for regular, $9 for special flavor and $10 for premium flavor. Currently, a milkshake is $10 including tax, $1 extra for sugar, Splenda or honey, with all flavors the same price except guanabana, which is $2 extra. Robert is Here is at 19200 SW 344th St.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Hellcat Hunter: Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance Hits the Drag Strip
"Man, you're out here eating up Hellcats!" So says the guy in the Dodge Charger Scat Pack who had the misfortune of lining up twice against the 2024 Mercedes-AMG S63 E-Performance plug-in hybrid at Rockingham Dragway. The big Benz doesn't look like it would be all that quick, especially wearing a gold paint job that prompted me to dub the car "Champagne Supernova" on the sign-in tech sheet. (Mercedes calls the hue Kalahari gold metallic, a $1750 option.) It's the kind of color you expect to see in the valet line at Joe's Stone Crab, not in the staging lanes at the Rockingham March Madness takeover, where the predominant exterior aesthetic seemed to be "vandalized by a graffiti artist, but in a cool way." The S63 is a sleeper, is what I'm saying. The S-class doesn't look like it has 791 horsepower and 1055 pound-feet of torque, but there's a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 at the front making 603 horsepower, and there's an electric motor out back contributing another 188 hp. It's like a mullet on both sides of your head: party in the front, party in the back. The electric motor is hooked to its own two-speed transmission and can generate its peak 188 horsepower for 10-second stints, after which it drops to 94. And 10 seconds, by my seat-of-the-pants reckoning, ought to be just about long enough to see the S63 down the quarter-mile. It feels like a 10-second car off the line. Is it? Let's find out. I've only run one official 10-second quarter-mile, in a Hennessey Hammer Wagon at Darlington. I almost certainly ran one there in the McLaren 765LT too, but the timing equipment malfunctioned on my first run and then traction went away after that. I got close with a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye at Fayetteville, but the best I could wring was an 11.1. Even with the gonzo horsepower of modern muscle- and supercars (and EVs), 10 seconds remains rare air. But the S63 feels like it's got the juice. With a wet clutch, all-wheel drive, and launch control, the S63 departs like it's going to pull the front tires off the ground. (It's close, really—Elana Scherr tells me the drag-race term for this is a "paper-slipper," because you could slide a piece of paper under the front end at launch.) On my first few runs, I can't seem to get launch control going, but the Benz still cracks off runs in the 11.3-second range at 126 mph. That is no joke, but not quite what I'm looking for. I pull to the side in the staging lanes and consult the AMG addendum to the S-class owner's manual, learning that my practiced starting-line calm is actually too chill—you need to hold the brake with your left foot and aggressively stab the accelerator with your right to tell the Benz you'd like some launch control, please. At that point, the V-8 chatters at just below 4000 rpm, and when you pop your foot off the brake, you're on your way to what is surely a sub-3.0-second sprint to 60 mph. The first time I make a launch-control pass, I'm on my way back past the bleachers when I hear a spectator exclaim, "That m---------r's fast!" After another run, a guy calls out, "Is that an AMG?" Yes. "What've you done to it?" Nothing. This is just how they build them now. And I sneak into the 11.1 range—11.19 seconds at 125 mph—but that's all it's got. Which, make no mistake, is crazy quick, especially for a car that can do that sort of thing while giving you a hot stone massage and wafting its own signature fragrance from the HVAC vents. The S63 E-Performance is an impressive answer to the question, "Where does the S-class fit in a G-class world?" It's stately and menacing all at once, like Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple. The S63 never lost, even dispatching a fearsome regular-cab F-150 powered by what sounded like a supercharged Coyote. A guy in a Jeep Trackhawk challenged me to a run but later decided he wanted to line up against the F-150, so we don't know how that would have turned out, but I suspect my perfect record would've been shattered. The Jeep owner was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with a photo of the Trackhawk, and I asked him, "Am I about to learn not to run against someone who has a picture of their car on their sweatshirt?" He laughed in a way that suggested that this was correct. Although I never broke into the 10s, I think my sense that the S63 is a 10-second car is correct. It has a vulnerability, though. Around 80 mph it feels like there's a flat spot in the power, followed by a 100-shot of nitrous. This happened consistently, at the same place every run, making me wonder if the car thought there was a traction problem or some reason to moderate thrust and then suddenly restore it. Then I realized the likely culprit: I was feeling the shift from the two-speed transmission at the rear axle. So that pause and surge before the eighth-mile is the electric motor hitting its limit, then rejoining the party after the upshift. As Benz's tech material says, "An electric actuator engages second gear by approximately 87 mph, which corresponds to the electric motor's maximum speed of around 13,500 rpm." If I may make a suggestion, perhaps we could tinker with the gear ratios to either extend that shift to, say, 130 mph, or do it sooner, before the electric motor runs out of revs. Because I want to break into the 10s again, and I've got a feeling that ol' Champagne Supernova here can do it. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
