8/15/2023 0 Comments Maple and ash chicago new yearsMarch 11, Pisor twice went to Currey’s home demanding to speak with her after he couldn’t reach her on the phone, according to a police report. Wexler said Pisor inappropriately showed up at the home of What If’s marketing director, Molly Currey.Īt about 4:30 a.m. Because of the probe, it would be inappropriate to allow Pisor back into company properties, Wexler said. Wexler said Pisor came into court “without clean hands,” referring to a human resources investigation into Pisor’s behavior that is being conducted by an independent attorney. But he said Lasky was not in violation of the operation agreement because Pisor was in the process of being fired. Lasky’s attorney, Doug Wexler, confirmed Lasky does not want to work with Pisor anymore. Lasky has been resorting to lockouts, threats and … trumped-up allegations … of alleged misconduct to try and steal the company away from Mr. Lasky does not want to continue doing business with Pisor, but he is going about it the wrong way and is in violation of the company’s operating agreement, Lambert said. Jade Lambert, one of Pisor’s attorneys, called the case a “business divorce” during last week’s hearing. Last Friday, a judge denied Pisor’s request for a temporary restraining order that would have allowed him back into the What If office and restaurants and resumed his weekly payout. They include using the company credit card for personal expenses, allegations of inappropriate conduct with female employees, creating another company called What If Soars LLC without Lasky’s knowledge and more. In a March 25 letter obtained by Block Club, Lasky alleged Pisor committed 10 violations he thinks were “sufficient to justify” Pisor’s termination. Lasky said he and Grant took these actions for the best interest of the company and its employees, according to court documents. When Pisor declined to sell his shares, “Lasky took actions designed to freeze Pisor out of management,” including denying him on-site access to the company, discontinuing $15,000 payouts and deactivating his company email, according to the lawsuit. Pisor said Lasky and Grant approached him March 10 to buy him out of the company at a “below-market” price, according to the lawsuit. Pisor, Lasky and Danny Grant, the restaurant group’s executive chef and partner, each own 31 percent of the company. It brought in $35 million in 2019, $100 million in 2021 and is projected to make $180-$200 million this year, according to the lawsuit. The complaint states the feud stems from a February preliminary valuation of the What If enterprise, which put its worth at $229 million. Now, the future of Maple & Ash could change as Lasky and Pisor battle in court over who will take over the company they spent years building. Last year, Maple & Ash also made headlines when Block Club revealed it was one of the luxury businesses that was able to get its employees vaccinated early after shots meant for West Siders were diverted away from Loretto Hospital, according to sources. Pisor and Lasky launched the restaurant in 2015 and grew the group into a powerhouse that has earned accolades across the country. Maple & Ash is one Chicago’s most sought-after reservations, attracting the city’s see-and-be-seen crowd with bold decorations, loud music, a strict dress code and steaks costing up to $180. The company, named What If Syndicate, oversees high-end Gold Coast steakhouse Maple & Ash and wood-fired-food spot Etta in Bucktown and River North, and also operates restaurants in California, Texas and Arizona.īut Lasky said he was forced to act because there are allegations Pisor acted inappropriately toward staffers, according to court documents obtained by Block Club. In a lawsuit filed earlier this month, David Pisor accused his business partner, James Lasky, of trying to push him out of their restaurant group. GOLD COAST - Leaders of a popular Chicago-based restaurant chain are fighting for control of the group’s empire.
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