Lawsuits

Judge Dismisses Chef’s Lawsuit Against Chipotle CEO

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images; Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The lawsuit, which was filed in New York State Supreme Court last year by a chef named Kyle Connaughton, alleged that his former boss Steve Ells caused damage to professional reputation. In 2011, Connaughton claimed he was approached by the Chipotle CEO to develop a “ramen-house equivalent to Chipotle,” so the chef set out to work, not knowing that Ells had previously consulted with Momofuku’s David Chang. Connaughton, who was eventually fired, was seeking damages and equity, but State Supreme Court Justice Shirley Kornreich dismissed the case after evaluating the claims. “I don’t see the damages,” she said. “I believe everything is speculative.” Eater has all the details. [Eater, Earlier]

Judge Dismisses Chef’s Lawsuit Against Chipotle CEO