Charleston’s restaurant industry is one of the city’s most recognizable economic engines — but behind the polished dining rooms, award-winning chefs and increasingly large restaurant groups, a number of businesses are also dealing with lawsuits, financial disputes, ownership battles and contract litigation.
A review of current Charleston County court records, federal court filings and recent court reporting identified several significant cases involving Charleston restaurants and restaurant groups.
The cases vary considerably. Some involve relatively ordinary contract disputes. Others reach into questions of ownership, millions of dollars in alleged financial transfers, unpaid loans and the financial collapse of a multi-state restaurant group…