Myrtle Beach Eatery Sued by Barcelona Restaurant Chain Over Name Dispute

Myrtle Beach Restaurant Faces Trademark Lawsuit Over Name

In a recent twist that’s making waves across the food scene, a restaurant chain based in Barcelona, Spain is asking a local Myrtle Beach eatery to halt the use of its name. The restaurant in question is known as Honest Greens, which has quickly spread its influence with around 30 locations scattered across Spain and Portugal. It has officially filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Poky’s LLC, the operators of a Myrtle Beach branch also claiming the name Honest Greens, located at 7937 N. Kings Hwy.

The Story Behind the Lawsuit

So, what’s the deal? The Barcelona restaurant chain, which has been dishing out healthy, delicious meals since 2017, has registered its trademark worldwide! They’re even eyeing expansion into the United States—yes, they want a taste of the American market! Their legal complaint reveals that they’ve been receiving quite a bit of buzz and some confusion from American tourists who think the Myrtle Beach location might be a part of their brand.

However, here’s the kicker: the Myrtle Beach restaurant claims to have been “mixing up something special” for over ten years! Confusing, right? Though, some news outlets suggest that the Myrtle Beach restaurant actually opened its doors just this past November 2023. Still, the integrity of the name is at stake, and both parties are digging into their claims.

Why the Fuss Over Names?

The heart of the matter is that the Barcelona-based Honest Greens has built a positive reputation, particularly among American visitors. According to their lawsuit, some of these tourists have even reached out, asking if the Myrtle Beach establishment is affiliated with the original Honest Greens. It looks like the name similarity has really sparked some head-scratching moments!

What further complicates this situation is the fact that the Myrtle Beach operators, Evi Spaho and Phillip Kasey, are not new to the food game. They are also behind the successful Blueberry’s Grill, which has locations in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Wilmington, North Carolina. It’s no wonder that they must have been privy to the already established name of Honest Greens in the global culinary landscape.

Website Domains in Question

Now, this is where it gets a bit shady. The complaint states that the Myrtle Beach restaurant’s operators were likely aware of the Honest Greens name because the original chain held the domain honestgreens.com. In response, the North Carolina team went ahead and registered their website under the domain honestgreens.us. Talk about a twist in the plot!

Bite-Sized Competition

Both restaurants share a similar pitch, claiming they offer healthy, affordable meals that promise prompt service. It seems like the recipe for success in both versions of Honest Greens is very much the same, and that’s bound to create a stir!

As of now, voicemail messages left for Spaho and Kasey have gone unanswered. With a legal battle on the horizon, how this plays out remains to be seen, but we expect the Myrtle Beach and Barcelona restaurants will be heating up the competition more than ever.

What’s Next?

For fans of both establishments, this lawsuit could mean some changes ahead. While the legal team for Honest Greens in Spain continues to fight for their rights, the Myrtle Beach locals will be left wondering how it will all pan out. Will they respond with their own legal counsel? Could it lead to a name change? With the summer tourist season right around the corner, it’ll be interesting to see how the chips fall. Stay tuned for more updates on this flavor-packed story!