Grin

SOUTH AFRICA – In a landmark legal showdown that could have been named “Dough Wars: The Battle for Pizza Prosperity,” a former COO of Romans Pizza, Basil Kassimatis, has triumphed over the franchisor at least for now, preventing the closure of four pizza joints and saving Christmas for dozens of employees.

Last week, Kassimatis found himself in the legal kitchen, facing off against Romans Pizza and its CEO, John Nicolakakis, in a saga that involved more twists and turns than a stuffed crust. The allegations? Failure to sign franchise agreements and neglecting to sprinkle the dough with the elusive “outstanding royalty fees.”

In a move that could make even Shakespeare reconsider his tragic dramas, Kassimatis rushed to the Johannesburg High Court seeking an urgent interdict. The court, donning a toga of wisdom, ruled in Kassimatis’ favour, deciding that the franchisor couldn’t snatch the pizza peel from his hands and shove him out into the cold South African night.

In a post-trial press conference, Kassimatis, looking like a seasoned pizza warrior, declared, “What we are dealing with here is nothing short of corporate bullying by a franchisor and its CEO who has no qualms rendering dozens of people jobless at this time of year.”

The court, perhaps inspired by the spirit of festive generosity (or love for extra cheese), ordered Kassimatis to pay the contested royalty fees into the trust account of attorneys, creating a cheese-stuffed safe haven until a final determination is reached. This, in legal terms, is what they call a “saucy compromise.”

But this isn’t just about four pizza joints; it’s a slice of a larger pie. Kassimatis, now the Pizza Avenger, plans to take the fight to the Competition Commission, calling out potential anti-competitive behaviour in the franchising sector. Nothing says “justice” like a piping hot pizza and a side of fair business practices.

During this pizza-centric legal drama, Kassimatis boldly proclaimed, “We will continue to fight for our employees and their families, at a time when South Africa cannot afford more unemployment. We also remain committed to our customers, and the communities we serve. We will continue to operate our franchise stores diligently and per the law while advocating for a more just and transparent franchising industry.”

And so, in the heart of Johannesburg, the cheesy grin on Romans Pizza continues, not just on the boxes but also on the faces of those who believe in justice, extra toppings, and the right to a fair slice of the entrepreneurial pie.

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