A settlement dispute involving three iconic people is on the edge of scalding someone. Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph, both former Yankees players, are close friends. The two, along with many others, are invested in a company known as Soup Kitchen International (SKI). A recent settlement dispute connected to SKI and the “Soup Nazi” may be driving a soup spoon between them.
The Original Soup Man (OSM) is a chain of fast-food restaurants made famous by the “Soup Nazi” character on the sitcom “Seinfeld.” An earlier version of the chain called Soup Kitchen International (SKI) went bankrupt in 2009. Former investors of SKI are now suing OSM accusing OSM of ruining SKI.
They claim that OSM ran SKI into the ground and then stole its assets. Allegedly, during a 2009 licensing deal, a group of OSM owners tricked SKI into giving up the rights to the “Original Soup Man” name and Al Yeganeh’s recipes. Yaganeh, the man that inspired the “Soup Nazi” character, is known for an autocratic style in the kitchen which led the show to coin the catchphrase “No soup for you!”
A settlement deal of $1.3 million was offered to all the former investors to end the legal dispute. However, the settlement has received mixed feelings. Some think the soup is too cold and others think it’s just right. Randolph and 59 other investors think the $1.3 million offer is too low. Yet, Jackson and others want to accept OSM’s offer.
A hearing on the issue has been taking place since July 24, 2013. The judge has not yet made a ruling. There the simmering dispute may come to an end or the deal may be put on the backburner.