Utah
Utah gourmet cookie maker Crumbl files lawsuits against 2 rival companies
This screenshot from Crumbl’s lawsuit in opposition to competitor Crave exhibits cookie displays that Crumbl believes Crave has copied from them. (Screenshot)
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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah connoisseur cookie firm Crumbl is suing rivals Crave and Soiled Dough for what it calls “confusingly comparable” logos, web sites and different advertising supplies.
It is also accusing Soiled Dough of copying recipes, claiming the founder’s brother is a former Crumbl worker.
Lawsuits filed in the USA District Courtroom on Could 10 point out that Crumbl is searching for triple damages from Crave and Soiled Dough, in an quantity deemed honest by the court docket. An amended lawsuit in opposition to Crave was filed June 29.
Crumbl’s lawsuits element the web sites, packaging and menu options they imagine Crave and Soiled Dough have taken from them.
They embrace header sections with close-up photos of cookies; a cookie emblem with a chew taken out of it; lengthy bins that completely match cookies aspect by aspect; and comparable cookie recipes and presentation, reminiscent of key lime cookies with white frosting and lime wedges on prime or sugar cookies made with fruity cereal.
The lawsuits additionally declare that each rival companies have copied Crumbl’s “distinctive weekly rotating menu idea.”
Moreover, the fits filed in opposition to Crave declare that Crave founder Trent English toured a Crumbl location and even utilized to be a franchisee shortly earlier than beginning his personal enterprise in 2019.
“The truth that Crave was based by a former Crumbl applicant with information of Crumbl’s enterprise and model identification, exhibits that Crave was clearly conscious of Crumbl and the Crumbl Commerce Gown,” the lawsuit states.
Crave filed a response to the lawsuit on June 8, denying that English ever utilized for or was denied a Crumbl franchise. It additionally denies that Crave is in violation of any mental property rights.
The lawsuit in opposition to Soiled Dough claims that Bradley Maxwell, recognized as a Soiled Dough founder, was a course of engineer at Crumbl from March 2019 via June 2019. By way of this place, he grew to become conversant in Crumbl’s recipes, strategies and formulation, in addition to its branding identification, the lawsuits state.
He additionally signed agreements stating he wouldn’t expose this confidential, insider data at any time throughout or after his employment, in line with Crumbl.
Moreover, the lawsuit claims that Bennett Maxwell, Soiled Dough’s founder and Bradley Maxwell’s brother, utilized to be a Crumbl franchisee in spring or summer season of 2019. He was interviewed however not employed, and commenced his personal enterprise in 2019, it states.
“Bradley and Bennett Maxwell appropriated an aesthetic and commerce costume just like Crumbl’s branding and the Crumbl Commerce Gown with the intent to learn and revenue from the widespread identify recognition and goodwill Crumbl has inbuilt its marks and commerce costume,” the lawsuit states.
KSL-TV reported that Soiled Dough refutes the claims that the corporate fashioned in 2019, stating it began in 2018. Soiled Dough additionally claims that Bradley Maxwell had no hand within the formation of the corporate.
Bennett Maxwell posted a response to the swimsuit on LinkedIn: “A Billion greenback firm suing 2 begin ups. Why? As a result of apparently in the event you put sprinkles of your cookies, Crumbl thinks they personal that. Be careful Grandma, you higher throw away these sprinkles or you may be Crumbl’s subsequent sufferer. …
“Crumbl Cookies, you guys are the leaders within the business. All of us look as much as your instance of success. What’s up with this lawsuit? Billion greenback firm bullying a number of begin ups with a lawsuit, all primarily based on unfaithful statements? The business is a lot massive for multiple cookie firm.”
Federal court docket data present Soiled Dough’s deadline to file a response to the lawsuit was Tuesday.