A dispute between two local restaurants is heading from the grill to the courtroom.The new owners of Billy’s Restaurant in Newtown have filed a lawsuit against former owner Billy Foutch claiming he is violating a no-compete clause for his role in operating another restaurant across town.Sparta Street Kitchen, owned by Foutch’s daughter Deborah Foutch, opened March 17. While Billy Foutch holds no ownership stake in Sparta Street Kitchen, the new owners of Billy’s Restaurant contend he is a vital part of that business and has been seen working there on several occasions.“Billy Foutch has breached a very important element of his contract by going against the non-compete provision just six months into the deal,” said attorney Ryan J. Moore, who is representing Darryl Bouldin and Danny Vickers, the new owners of Billy’s Restaurant. “We realize Mr. Foutch has no ownership in Sparta Street Kitchen, but the non-compete provision goes so much deeper than mere ownership.
Burger wars
Billy's Restaurant files lawsuit against former owner over no-compete clause