Pasquini’s Pizzeria founder Tony Pasquini, who has been trying to buy back franchised and licensed restaurants that bear his name, has been in a legal oven for a year with Scott Holtzer, the Denver Tech Center franchisee.
I first reported about Pasquini’s re-entry into the restaurant chain’s ownership last week when it was announced that two new Pasquini’s would be built on East Colfax Avenue and at Cherry Creek North.
Part of his motivation for getting the brand back under his umbrella is the legal tug of war over the DTC Pasquini’s that has been winding through Denver District Court.
In 2004, Pasquini left behind the family-owned pizza chain and later sold franchises for the remaining stores except the original South Broadway location, which is owned and operated by his sister.
Holtzer, a longtime Denver restaurateur, entered the Pasquini’s picture in 2009 when his company, Fawna LLC, started the process to purchase the DTC franchise.
The store opened in June 2010, and the relationship between franchiser and franchisee quickly deteriorated to the point that Holtzer sued Pasquini, his company and his mother, Judy, in October 2010. Holtzer listed myriad allegations, including violation of the terms of the franchise agreement.
Pasquini filed a countersuit, asking the court to close Holtzer’s DTC restaurant. The court denied that request, and the two parties will have their day in court April 16.
Until the trial, Pasquini’s DTC continues to operate and use the trademarked signage in the store and on its website.
For his part, Pasquini has discontinued franchising, bought back the Lone Tree and Highland locations, is negotiating with the licensee of the East 17th Avenue eatery and plans to open new company-owned restaurants.
Sweet 16.
Denver advertising firm Karsh Hagan has landed the Visit Denver advertising and marketing business for the 16th straight year.
Visit Denver named the 34-year-old firm its agency of record after a six-month review where KH competed against more than 10 Denver- and Colorado-based firms.
Pocky Marranzino, KH co-president and Denver native, said the marketing material for the Mile High City has evolved from a gateway to a destination mentality. “It used to be that the image of Denver was as a place on the way to the mountains,” Marranzino said. “Now, Denver is the place.”
Marranzino said his agency will continue with the campaign message “Know what the locals know.”
“When people think of Denver, the first thing they say is snow or Broncos. After that, we want them to say things like there’s a really cool restaurant in an old mortuary serving water in formaldehyde bottles,” he said, referring to Linger in the old Olinger mortuary in the Highland neighborhood.
Twenty years and rockin’.
The original Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery at 16th Street Mall and Curtis Street will raise a toast to 20 years of beers and cheers beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday. Steakburgers and Molly’s Brown Ale will be rolled back to 1991 prices until 8 p.m. For more information, go to .
Eavesdropping
on one woman to another at Russell’s Smoke House: “Did you try the pigs in a blanket? They’re delicious.”
“I had one, but I don’t want to pig out.”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
