A long-standing barbecue rivalry in Texas reaches a conclusion as a legal battle between former co-owners of Lockhart Smokehouse and Crossbuck BBQ concludes. Tim McLaughlin, a pitmaster and co-owner of Lockhart Smokehouse, was fired in 2020 due to concerns about the restaurants finances. He later opened Crossbuck BBQ, leading to a series of lawsuits from the Berguses, majority owners of Lockhart Smokehouse. The lawsuits alleged intellectual property disputes, non-compete clause violations, defamation, and conspiracy. McLaughlin countersued, claiming fraud and breach of contract. The jury delivered a mixed verdict, finding McLaughlin had not violated a contract but also ruling he no longer had a stake in another location. The judge found the Berguses had deceptively transferred ownership of Lockharts intellectual property. Both parties seem ready to move past the legal battle, but the financial toll has been substantial.
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