“Dunkin’ Donuts has announced itself as direct competitor . . . intent on taking away Starbucks’ customers,’’ its suit says.
(Robert Caplin/ Bloomberg News/ File 2007)
Starbucks sues defector to Dunkin’
“Dunkin’ Donuts has announced itself as direct competitor . . . intent on taking away Starbucks’ customers,’’ its suit says.
(Robert Caplin/ Bloomberg News/ File 2007)
WILMINGTON, Del. - Starbucks Corp., the largest coffee-shop operator, has sued a former executive, claiming he violated a noncompetition agreement by becoming Dunkin’ Donuts Inc.’s brand operations officer.
Paul Twohig was a senior vice president at Starbucks until March, responsible for the Southeast division. He violated an agreement that barred him from working for a direct rival for 18 months after his departure, according to a complaint filed in federal court in Seattle.
Twohig could not immediately be reached for comment.
He received “substantial pay and other consideration’’ when he left, Starbucks said. About Aug. 20, he inquired whether he might be released from the noncompete agreement, the complaint said. Starbucks declined.
Starbucks said it learned through Internet searches that Twohig was employed at Dunkin’ Donuts.
Dunkin’ Donuts is owned by Dunkin’ Brands Inc., a unit of Pernod Ricard SA that’s based in Canton, Mass.
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