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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Owners of a popular Mexican restaurant chain say their recipes are being used by one of their competitors.
Cafe Rio Incorporation filed a lawsuit this week against Costa Azul Holdings, LLC, which includes Costa Vida.
The lawsuit claims a former general manager of a Cafe Rio restaurant and others improperly copied and used Cafe Rio's trade secrets, menu, layout, food presentation, procedures and processes.
According to the lawsuit, the employee worked at Cafe Rio for about two years and reportedly signed a confidentiality agreement each year. Since that time, he has done some work for Costa Azul.
Nate Gibby, director of marketing for Costa Azul, said they have heard nothing about the allegations since they've opened for business.
Cafe Rio is asking for an injunction to keep Costa Azul and its affiliates from using any of their trade secrets and confidential information. Costa Azul has yet to obtain legal counsel.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
