HomeMy WebLinkAbout94-05000
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA,
NO. 94.5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION-EQUITY
PLATANOS, INC.,
Plaintiff
A THANASIOS VELLlOS,
Defendant
RESPONSE TO PETITION
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
In T. . lllilY ....,., I '*' lIIlIO III q hMd
and .. ~ flUId ColII1It ~. "It
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1'nIUlGnaIII't
" Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Denied as a conclusion of law.
4. Admitted, except that Bill Katsifis was the sole purchaser of such
shares.
5. Denied. Said term of the Installment Sales Agreement speaks for itself.
6. Denied. Said term of the Installment Sales Agreement speaks for itself.
7. It is denied that Defendant is actively involved, either directly or
indirectly, with the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. or with the
activities being undertaken, Including all activities and services
characterized in subparagraphs A through E.
It is denied that the site is within seven and seven tenths (7,7)
miles from the Windsor Family Restaurant, and proof thereof is demanded.
8. Denied. Defendant does not intend to act as chef or cook at the Flamingo
as is evidenced by communication of counsel dated August 3', , 994 and
received by Katsifis or his agents on September', , 994, fully five (5)
days before Katsifis caused the Instant action to be filed. (See true and
correct copy of letter, receipt and return receipt attached hereto as
Exhibit A.)
9. Admitted, except that It is denied that Defendant is integrally
connected with said business, either as an owner thereof or otherwise. On
the contrary, Defendant has no intention of becoming so connected during
the term of the agreement.
, O. Denied. Defendant has not solicited business from plaintiff's
customers and has no intention of doing so.
, ,. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Defendant is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the
averments of paragraph 11 and proof thereof Is demanded.
12. Denied as a conclusion of law,
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests your Honorable Court to
dismiss Plaintiff's petition and all of the relief requested therein.
NEW MA TIER
13. By way of further answer and defense, Defendant avers the following
new matter:
14. Plaintiff is not a proper party to this proceeding. Said Intstallment
Sales Agreement Is between Defendant and Bill Katslfls with respect to
all matters alleged by Plaintiff,
15, Because Defendant's continued interest in Plaintiff by reason of
Plaintiff's shares being held In escrow pursuant to said Installment Sales
Agreement, permitting Plaintiff to pursue this cause of action Is an
improper use and depletion of corporate assets and funds, exposing
Defendant to real and potential loss.
16. Plaintiff (or Bill Katsifls) has breached said Installment Sales
Agreement by failure to pay Defendant the monthly installments in a
timely fashion as required thereunder, has failed to provide Defendant
with copies of the bank receipts evidencing monthly rental payments to "eia
Markets as required thereunder, and has denied making available to
Defendant the monthly statement of Income and expenses of Plaintiff
since June 1, 1994, all of which amounts to "unclean hands" and is the
basis for denying Plaintiff's various claims for relief.
17. Plaintiff has stated no basis upon which preliminary injunctive relief
is proper or can be granted in this case.
18. Plaintiff has no clear right to relief.
19. Plaintiff has a clear and :!dequate remedy in damages at law if in fact
its legal pOSition Is correct and any damage accrues to it.
20. Any preliminary injunction granted by this court should be conditioned
upon the posting of a bond in an amount sufficient to reimburse Defendant
all damages sustained by reason of granting the injunction, including ali
legally taxable costs and fees as hereinafter alleged. In no event, should
any funds of Platanos, Inc. be used for such bond or any other purposes
connected therewith.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully prays this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Petition for Preliminary Injunction, or, alternatively, to issue its
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August 31, 1994
Mr. Bill Kalslfls
Windsor Family Restauranl
5144 Simpson Ferry Road
Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
In Re:
Tom Velllos . Flamingo Restaurant
Dear Bill:
Please be advised Ihal as of 10:30 A.M. Ihls morning I was advised by Rob Frey that he Is
In the process or terminating his represenlation of you. Therefore, I am writing to you directly,
I have had several conversations wllh Effie Velllos Ihls morning concerning the Flamingo
(formerly Chalet) Restaurant. She has assured me In Ihe mosl definite terms of the following:
1 .) Tom Velllos Is not and will not be Involved In the Flamingo. He Is not an owner of
any Interest. Only Effie. her uncle and her cousin are holders of any Interesl.
2.) Tom will not be Ihe chef or cook or be employed In any other capaclly nor will he
work for free In any manner al Ihe Flamingo.
3.) Effie's uncle, Jim Zahos. Is 56 years old and has plenty or experience in the
reslaurant business and Is a good chef. Her cousin, Gus, has plenty 01 experience as a
cook and short order cook. They have managed 10 survive on their own so lar wllhoul
Tom Velllos and Inlend 10 conllnue to do so in Ihe fUlure,
4. ) There is no dale sel yel for opening the business. Therefore II Is obvious
anylhlng you are hearing Is only speculalion. In view of thai, the assurances from
Effie which. I am communicaling to you at her dlrecllon and under her authority, should
serve \0 put an end 10 this mailer unless you discover Ihat Tom Is, In facl, working atlhe
Flamingo, an event, In view of Ihe assurances given, which I would regard as highly
unlikely.
5. ) I have also been Inslructed to notify you Ihal your payment Is late, I hope this
will be paid promptly and Is nOI a prelude to an effort to cause my client's aggravation
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L STATEMENT OF THE CASE
A. PROCEDURAL HISTORY OF THE C~
This Bellon was commenced by Plelnllff's filing of a Complaint on or about
September 6, 1994. Plaintiff flied a Petition for Preliminary Injunction coneurrenlly
with the filing of the Complaint and prayed for the decree and entry of such an InJunellon
wllhoulthe holding of a hearing. Your Honorable Courl, by Order dated September 8, 1994,
refused to grant said prayer and scheduled a hearing on the prayed for Preliminary
Injuncllon for September 15, 1994 al 9:30 o'clock A,M.
An answer to the Petition for Preliminary Injuncllon with New Maller has been flied
by Defendant prior to the hearing. This BRIEF-MEMORANDUM Is submitted In opposition 10
Plalntlff's prayer for a Preliminary Injunction.
B, PROPOSED FINDING OF FACTS OF CASE
1. DEFENDANT ATHANASIOS VELLIOS entered Into an INSTALLMENT SALES
AGREEMENT FOR 250 SHARES OF STOCK IN PLATANOS, INC. on Apr1l2B, 1993 with BILL
KATSIFIS. TONY KOUKOUNAS joined In the AGREEMENT to evidence his assent to Ihe
warranties and guaranties made by him therein. Defendant has admitted thai the copy of the
AGREEMENT (without Its exhibits), as now augmented and corrected with the addition of
page 2, (which was originally missing from the copy attached to the Petlllon) Is now a true
and complete copy.
2. Page 3 of the AGREEMENT contains the following paragraph:
Covenant not to compele, Velllos agrees that he will not, either as an
Individual or In any other business form, dlreclly or Indirectly, enter Into
compelltlon with Platanos, Inc. or engage In the same or similar type of
baseness (sic) as the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as a principal, agent,
employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family
Restaurant, located at the corner of Trlndle and Windsor Road (sic) for a period
of three years from the date of this contract.
3, The Windsor Family Restaurant Is actually located near the Intersection of
Simpson Ferry Road and Wesley Drive and has a Mechanlcsburg mailing address of 5144
Simpson Ferry Road. (See Testimony of Tony Koukounas, hereinafter cited as T,K,; Petition,
parag. 1.; and ResDOnse, !d.),
4. Defendant was the owner of 250 shares of Platanos, Inc. at the lime the
AGREEMENT with BILL KATSIFIS was made. TONY KOUKOUNAS was then and stili Is the
owner of the other 250 shares of a total Issue of 500 shares. (T.K.)
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5, Defendant was formerly employed as a chef at the Windsor Family Restaurant
and was In charge of Ihe kitchen and also ordered food from time to time, He was In charge of
.speclals," and along wllh others, took a hand In public relations, and hiring and firing the
kitchen help. (T.K.)
6, Defendant's wife. "EFFIE" VELLlOS, also worked at the Wlndllor Family
Restaurant as a cashier, hostess, floor manager, public relations person, and from time to
time had some hand In hiring and firing floor personnel. She also had a hand In bookkeeping
and banking activities. (T.K.)
7, TONY KOUKOUNAS also took part In managing and operating the Windsor
Family Restaurant, Including doing soma cooking In the kitchen, some hiring and firing of
kitchen help and floor personnel and some buying of food, (T,K.)
8, The Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc, Is leasing the former Chalet
Restaurant on U. S, Route 15, near Dlllsburg In York County, The distance from the
Windsor Family Restaurant to the Flamingo, as measured by the most direct route over
highways, that being Wesley Drive to Route 15 and then directly south, varied from point of
departure and entrance and odometer to between 9,3 to 10.7 miles, It Is evident, however,
that "as the crow flies" the distance Is less than ten (10) miles. (See Testimony of T.K"
Bill Katslfls, hereinafter cited as B.K.; Charles E. Shields, III, hereinafter cited as C,S.;
Athanaslos Velllos, hereinafter clled as A.V.; map)
9. The owners of the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. are "EFFIE"
VELLlOS, CONSTANTINOS (GUS) GEORGEAKOPOULOS. (married to "EFFIE'S" first cousin);
and DEMETRIOS (JIM) ZAHOS ("EFFIE'S" uncle), (T,K,; Petition, parag. 9, and Response,
parag, 9)
10, Defendant has no ownership or other Interest In the Flamingo and has not
loaned or advanced any money or funds to his wife for the purpose of obtaining an Interest In
the business. (A.V,)
11 . No evidence whatsoever was Introduced to Indicate that Defendant's wife Is
engaged In any subterfuge concerning her Interest In the Flamingo nor has any evidence
whatsoever been introduced to Indicate that sl'e Is In any way engaging In any fraud on the
covenant or covenantee.
12. Defendant, his wife. and her shareowner relatives were aware of the covenant
not to compete and took honest good faith efforts as lay people to measure the distance from
the Windsor Family Restaurant to the Flamingo. (C,S.; A.V.)
1 3. The use of Defend9nt as a chef to help at the Flamingo for a few hours per day
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was Inlllally considered but Defendant never considered being an owner or otherwise taking
any Interest In the business because of numerous bad experiences in the past with partners
or business associates, whether merely friends or relallves. (C.S.; A.V.)
1 4, The owners are qulle capable of owning and running the Flamingo wllhout
Defendant as Is evidenced by their past experience In the restaurant business, This Is
parllcularly true of DEMETRIOS (JIM) ZAHOS who has close to thirty (30) years
experience In the business as an owner and a chef and who has plenty of experience cooking
everything from hot dogs to more sophlsllcated fare such as beef cakes, pork chops and the
like, Also. the owners have recenlly discussed the employment of an addlllonal chef to be
brought In from out of state. (Tesllmony of Chris Coy, hereinafter C.C,; C,S.; A.V.)
15. When Plalnllff's wllness, Chris Coy, at the order of BILL KATSIFIS, vlslled
the Flamingo on several occasions, she only saw Defendant once. At that lime, Defendant gave
her business cards and a menu to take to "the boys" . a reference to BILL KATSIFIS and
TONY KOUKOUNAS . clear evidence of Defendant's good fallh and lack of guile or any
Intenllon to engage In decell or subterfuge. The business cards did not mention Defendant's
name. (C.C.)
16. When Plalnllff's wllness, Chris Coy, engaged Defendant In conversallon In
late August or early September concerning his part In the Flamingo, ShE was told the
business was not Defendal'lt's and that a chef would likely be brought In from out of state.
(C,C.)
17. Plalnllff's witness, Gregory Carrera, a restaurant supplies salesman, vlslled
the Flamingo on six (6) occasions. Only on one vlsll, earlv In August. did Defendant take any
acllve part In any discussion concerning restaurant equipment and that concerned trying to
help the witness determine which model of steam tray was wanted by the Flamingo's owner.
Defendant suggested wllness obtain the model number from the lIem at the Windsor
Restaurant. There was no statement by the witness nor even an Inllmallon that this was to
be done surreplltiously . further evidence of Defendant's good faith and lack of guile in the
maner. (Tesllmony of Gregory Carrera, hereinafter G.C.)
18. Plalnllff's witness. Richard Norrie, a kitchen equipment Installer, tesllfled
that he saw Defendant at the Flamingo on several occasions and that the only time he saw
Defendant doing anything, Defendant was washing some pots and pans. He also stated that this
was cause for joking between the two of them, (Tesllmony of Richard Norrie, hereinafter
R.N,)
19. Plalnllff's witness, Richard Norrie, further testified that Defendant had no
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part In the Inslallatlon or service contracl nor did Defendant have any Input as 10 Ihe choice
01 equipment. (R.N.)
20. PlalntlN's wllness, Steve Kouros, Indloated that he had been told by one 01 the
owners 01 the Flamingo I\pproxlmalely three 131 months aQo, Ihat Delendant m.iQh1 work
several hours per day. (Testimony 01 Steve Kouros, herelnaller S.K.)
2 1 . Defendant gave complelely credible testimony thaI he had clocked the distance
Irom the Windsor Family Restaurant's 'ront door to the Iront door 01 the Flamingo and lound
lito be 10.0 miles and that when using the turn lane on Roule 15 to obtain entrance to the
Flamingo, Ihe distance was 10.7. (A.V.)
22, Delendant has not parllclpeted In the management 01 the Flamingo, has never
had any ownership Interest In the Flamingo, has not cooked any meals at the Flamlnoo .
which Is not even open yel, has never received a salary or any other remunorallon Irom the
Flamingo, has laken no part In any remOdeling or similar activities, except to oller
assistance to salesman Carrera and one 01 the owners regarding the appropriate model 01 a
steam tray, has not hired or IIred anyone, and has nol solicited any customers,
23. In mid 10 late August, when Delendantllurd rumors that TONY KOUKOUNAS
and BILL KATSIFIS were angry at him and were saying ha was breaking the covenant and
were threatening 10 sue him, he contacled his Attorney, Charles E. Shields, III, 01
Mechanlcsburg, Cumberland County and arranged a consullatlon, (C.S., A.V,)
24, Delendantllslened to an explanallon concerning possible meanings ollhe word
"radius" In the t:Ovenant and 10 options 10 take to avoid trouble wllh BILL KATSIFIS and TONY
KOUKOUNAS and Inlormed counsel to communlcale 10 Mr, ROBERT G. FREY, then counsellor
BILL KATSIFIS, thaI Delendant would not acl as a chel or In any other capacity at the
Flamingo. (C.S., A.V,)
25, Mr, Shields, by letter 01 August 31, 1994, sent by IIrst class mall and by
certllled mall wllh relurn receipt, signed lor by BILL KATSIFIS or his agenls on September
1, 1994, unequivocally assured BILL KATSIFIS that Delendant would nol be Involved wllh
the Flamingo. (C.S., copy olleller attached to Response)
26. There 15 absolutely no evidence 01 any communication to Mr. Shields Irom
either BILL KATSIFIS, TONY KOLJKOUNAS or their present counsel at any time belore the
IIl1ng 01 the Instant action nor Is there any evidence 01 any communication Irom either BILL
KATSIFIS or TONY KOUKOUNAS 10 Defendant before the said IIl1ng. (C,S., B.K., T,K., A.V.)
27. Despite Ihe clear and unequivocal Assurances made by Delendantthrough his
coullsel. and desplle the virtually negligible nalure 01 Delendant's previous acllvltles at the
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Flamingo I Plaintiff's counsel proceedlld, primarily and predominantly slIer August 31,
1994, and slIer September 1, 1994, to proceed to Incur the e~penses and costs or preparing
and going forward wllh an unnecessary law suit. (See Plaintiff's e~hlblt concerning legal
fees and e~penses and the entries as to dates and work performed Ihereln,)
28, Defendant has stated unequivocally that he does not Intend to work at the
Flamingo during Ihe term of Ihe covenant not to compete,
II. ARGUMENT
A, PLAINTIFF HAS NO RIGHT TO PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IN THIS CASE.
1 , PLAINTIFF CANNOT HAVE DEFENDANT'S WIFE ENJOINED FROM TAKING PART
IN THE FLAMINGO RESTAURANT AND COFFEE SHOP, INC,
Although Plaintiff has not asked for an Injunction to prohibit Defendant's wife from
laking part In the business of the Flamingo. your Honorable Court made a passing reference
to this Issue In a remark from the Bench, Therefore, Defendant shall provide some case law
and argument upon this Issue,
Defendant's wile was not an owner of any shares of Platanos, Inc.; was not a signatory
nor a party to the AGREEMENT; and was not a covenantor regarding the covenant not to
compete. The general rule on this Issue Is that: A person who has not executed or signed the
contract or covenant Is not bound by the stipulation against engaging In business, and she
may not be enjoined from competing with the covenantee. She may, however, be restrained
from engaging in the business In partnership with, or as an employee of the covenantor or
seller. In other words, II she engages In subterfuge, fraud, and the like. in order to aid the
covenantor In violating his covenant or receiving any benefit from such violation, her
activities may be enJoined. See, In this regard. Russell v, Mullis, 479 So, 2d 727 (Ala.,
1985); WelckQenaut v. Eccles, 173 Mich. 695, 140 N, W. 513 (1913) (business put In
wife's name solely to help husband evade the covenant); Harris v Theus, 149 Ala, 133. 43
So, 131 (1907) (wife was not attempting In good faith to engage In business on her own, but
was Involved In a SUbterfuge); Up River Ice Co, v, Denier, 114 Mich. 296, 72 N, W. 157
(1897) (Competing business was actually started and built up by husband.)
Plaintiff Introduced no evidence that Defendant's wife has acted In anything but good
faith. All evidence entered makes It abundantly clear that Defendant Is not using his wife as
a front for him, Is not paying her a salary, nor 15 he engaged with her In a subterfuge. Also,
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he did not tend her his money to engage In this bualness. (FF, 9. 10)
It Is thus abundantly clear that Plaintiff Is not entitled 10 enjoin Defendant's wile
from laking part In the ownership and/or operation of the Flamingo.
2. PLAINTIFF CANNOT ESTABLISH THE PREREQUISITES ESSENTIAL TO THE
ISSUANCE OF A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN PENNSYLVANIA,
A. BRIEF REVIEW OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PENNSYLVANIA LAW
REGARDING I~UNCTIONS,
'An Injunction Is an extraordinary remlldy which should be granted only with great
caution." School District of City of Pittsburgh v, Zebra, 16 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 203.
208,326 A, 2d 330, 333 (1974). au: Rick v, Cramp, 357 Pa. 83, 91, 63 A. 2d 84,
88-89 (1947): Commonwealth v. National G9tt~Bbura Battlefield Tawer. Inc., 8 Pa.
Commonwealth Ct, 23', 248, 302 A. 2d 886, 894, 1I.1fi1. 464 Pa. 193, 311 A, 2d 688
( 1973),
A court of equity will grant an Injunction only where the rights and equity of the
Plaintiff are clear and freG from doubt and the harm sought to be remedied Is great and
Irreparable. Sell: Robinson v, Phlladelpple, 400 Pa. 80, 89, 161 A. 2d 1, 6 (1960);
McDonaldv. NOQa, 393 Pa. 309, 312,313, 141 A. 2d 842. 844 (1968); Williams v.
Brl.d.Y.,391 Pa. 1,7,136 A. 2d 832. 836 (1957); Rick v, Cramp, 5J.Ullil, 357 Pa, at 91,
53 A, 2d at 88-89; Wlndber BorouQh v, Spadafora, 356 Pa. 130, 134, 51 A, 2d 726, 728
(1947).
Pennsylvania courts have long and consistently regarded the preliminary Injunction
as a particularly harsh and extraordinary remedy to be utilized only In exceptional
circumstances. SJul".e......g., Rush v. AI(Dort Commercial Properties. Ine., 28 Pa.
Commonwealth Ct. 51, 367 A, 2d 370 (1976). The courts have carefully circumscribed
the use uf this form of relief by requiring that certain criteria be "fully and completely
established" by the proponent of the Injunction before It will be granted. Commlllee of
Seventy v. Albert. 33 Pa. Commonwealth CI. 43, 49, 381 A. 2d 188, 190 (1977).
In the Commlllee of Seventy case, at the pages above cited, the Commonwealth Court
reiterated the established authority delineating the requirements which IJ1Ia1 be established
before a preliminary Injunction can be Issued:
Three criteria have been established for the granting or a preliminary
Injunction, which, as a harsh and extraordinary remedy, Is to be granted only
when and If Ul:h criteria has been fully and compl6tely established. Qad!t
Alliance Corp. Iv Philadelphia Mlnlt,Man Car Wash CorP" 450 Pa, 367,
301 A. 2d 816 (1973)); Gillette Co, v, Master, 408 Pa. 202, 182 A. 2d 734
(1962). They are (1) the preliminary Injunction must be necessary to
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prevent Immedlete and Irreparable harm which could not be compensated lor
by damages: (2) greater Injury would result from the denial 01 the
preliminary Injuncllon than from the granting 01 It: and (3) It would operate
to restore the parties to the status quo as It existed prior to the alleged
wronglul conduct, In addition to meeting all three crlterla, the court must be
convinced that Ihe plaintiff's right to a preliminary Injunction Is clear '" and
general equity jurisdiction must be warranted. lemphasls original: bracketed
language added,)
B. MORE PARTICULAR BURDENS UPON PLAINTIFF WHICH MUST BE MET TO JUSTIFY
THE ISSUANCE OF A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION AND ANALYSES THEREOF,
1 , Plalntlfl In the Instant case must demonstrate at Ihe outset a clear case lor
judicial redress, New Caslle Orthopedic Associates v. BurlJa, 481 Pa. 460, _, 392 A,
2d 1383, 1385 (1978): Jostan Aluminum Products V. MI. Carmel District Industrial
Ewld., 256 Pa, Superior Ct. 353, 389 A. 2d 1160 (1978): and Board of Directors of the
School District of the City of Scranton v, Roberts, 13 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 464, 468, 320
A. 2d 141 (1974), wherein the court noled:
Furthermore, In a case In which a parly requests a preliminary
InJunction, he must also establish a clear right to the relief, and the lallure to
receive same musl result In Immodlate and Irreparable Injury. (citations
omIUed.) (emphasis added,)
2, Plaintiff has the burden of proving, bv clear and convlnclnq evidence, as a
lact, all conditions which would warrant Ihe decree for an Injunction. 1\ Is not enouQh to
show that a result m10ht take place In the future, or to rest the application only on
Inferences and theories: there must be actual proof by positive tesllmony. Where, as here,
Defendant's acts are prima facie legal. the burden Is on the Plaintiff to also show Inlury
resulllno therefrom. Wahl v, Methodist EplscQpal Cemeter.y Ass'n, 197 Pa. 197,46 A. 913
(1900): Kelly v, Phlladelohla, 382 Pa, 459, 115 A, 2d 238 (1955): Shryock v,
Association of United Fr~ternal Buyers, Inc" 135 Pa, Superior Ct. 428, 5 A. 2d 581
(1939): Brown v, Lehman, 141 Pa. Superior Ct. 467, 15 A, 2d 513 (1940): Pusey v,
WrlQht,31 Pa, 387 (1858): Scranton v, People'S Coal Co, 256 Pa, 332, 100 A. 818
(1917): Halo Corp. v, Thomas S, Gassner Co" 163 Pa, Superior Ct. 611, 63 A. 2d 433
(1949) and as to burden 01 proof generally In equity acllons, see Standard Pennsylvania
Practice 2d, ch. 79,
3, More parllcular burdens applicable to the Inslant case Include:
a.) An Injuncllon will nOI be granted except upon clear and convlnclno evidence
of an Intended or threatened Injury, which must be actually threatened and not merely
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anll<;lpaled, and must be pracllcally certain and nol merely probabla. Shryock Y.
Association of United Fraternal Buyers, Inc., 136 Pa. Superior Ct, 428, 5 A. 2d 681
(1939); Halo Corp. y, Thomes S. Gassner Co., 163 Pa. Superior CL 611, 63 A. 2d 433
(1949); Clinton y, Carma!. Inc" 288 Pa, Superior Ct. 433, 432 A, 2d 238 (1981); 1S.i.U~
y, Phlladelohla, 382 Pa. 469, 116 A. 2d 238 (1966); Erie y, Gulf 011 CorP" 396 Pa, 383,
160 A. 2d 361 (1969).
The best evidence Plaintiff's own witnesses could produce, at least one of whom was
clearly sent to the Flamingo to spy on the Defendant, was exceptionally ltiWlK as to both 1lmi
~ and conten!, As to time frame, It appears each activity of even the most negligible and
contenllous purported merit as a basis to IIle this acllon was undertaken before Defendant
was aware that his Dosslble working as a chef for a few hours per day was objected to by
Plaintiff or that It was going to be considered a violation by Plaintiff of the covanant not to
compete. E.g., Chris Coy received business cards and a menu early on to take to "the Boys"
. meaning MESSRS, KATSIFIS and KOUKOUNAS, (F.F. 16, 16.) This does not violate the
covenant either directly or Indlreclly unless MESSRS. KATSIFIS and KOUKOUNAS wish to be
so foolhardy as to argue Defendant was trying to compete with them by luring them out of
their own kitchen and establishment with his apparenlly superior COOking and the
Flamingo'S proposed new menu.
Gregory Carrera could only state one episode where Defendant took any part In
ordering anything and that was only In relation to trying to help determine which model of a
steam tray was wanted by the Flamingo's owners, His suggestion was to go to the Windsor
Family Reslaurantto get the model number from the steam tray located there. There was llil
tesllmony nor so much as hint that Defendant suggested this simple act be done
clandestinely. This occurred In early Alll;IUS!. (F.F. 17)
Richard Norrie, Plaintiff's witness, never took any orders or the like from
Defendant and the only time he ever saw Defendant doing anything, he was washing pots and
pans, a cause for some laughter between them. (F.F. 18, 19.)
Plaintiff's witness, Steve Kouros. could only state that he had been told by one of the
owners of the Flamingo that Defendant mJ.Q.b.l. work there several hours per day. That
statement took place approximately three 131 months ago! (F.F. 20)
In summary, Plalntiff's own testimony deals with what were, some lime ago, lD.a!a
conslderallons concerning the possibility of Defendant's cooking at the Flamingo. These
considerations have long since been put to rest. Not only Is no Injury threatened or
Intended. there had been clear assurances given In writing days before this action was lIIed
fl
ur even worked on to any degree, that Delendant was no longer considering doing any work at
the Flamingo. (F,F. 25, 26, 27,) Thus there was clearly no jusllflcatlon for the current
aollon, let alone the Issuance of a preliminary Injunction because there Is absolutely no
evidence that Defendant then or now Intended or threatened any Injury. It Is even more
abundantly clear that no Injury has occurred In view of the fact the Flamingo Is not even
open yeti The rule~ make It clear that mere anllclpallon will not be sufficient to justIfy an
Injuncllon nor will a mere probability suffice. Addlllonally, Plalnllffs have not been able
to show any Injury because there Is no Injury to show.
In the Instant case there Is not even a probability the covenant will be violated. To
the contrary, there are clear and unequivocal assurances that the covonant will not be
violated, In view of the above, Plalnllffs are without any Jusllflcatlon for even bringing
this acllon, let alone praying for an Injunction.
b,) It might be wise to address the earlier and negligible acllvllles undertaken by
Defendant as to whether they can even be considered violations of the covenant.
The general rule concerning the rendering of assistance, other than financial, under
covenants not to compete, Is lis lollows:
A covenant not to compete Is not breached by the covenantor by his rendering
a6slstance to covenantee's competitor unless covenantor has some Interest In the business
owned and operated by the persons receiving his assistance, It should also be kept in mind
that the term 01 this covenant: "engage" has been specifically held to not Include occasional
services voluntarlty and gratuitously rendered lor those persons' convenience or
accommodation In good faith. SU, a.g., Simmons v, Johnson, 11 So. 2d 710 (La. App..
1942) (Covenantor, who had agreed not compete, buill a restaurant building and sold It to
coven an tees' compelltor, provided training In operallng a restaurant and even loaned trained
employees to the compelllor to get him started In the business. The court adapted Webster's
deflnlllon of "compellllon" as the act of seeking or endeavoring to gain what another was
endeavoring to gain at the same time, or as common strife for the same object, or lor
superiority,): Nelson v, Johnson, 38 Minn. 255, 36 N, W. 868 (1888) (covenant not to
compete "dlreclly or Indlreclly," Since the covenant used the term "engage" In business, It
was held not to extend to Isolated acts or to occasional services voluntarily rendered lor the
convenience or accommodation 01 another In good faith.)
Thus It should be apparent that Defendant's negligible and iii. minimis acllons,
undertaken some time ago In complete good lalth, did not violate the covenant. It should also
be pointed out that, even II they had violated the covenant, they caused no harm whatsoever,
')
leI alono any Irreparable harm. Mosl Importantly, Delendant has given clear and
unequivocal assurances that he will not compete with the covenantee, There Is clearly no
basis to consider Ihe proved acts as a legltlmale reason to even IlIe the Instant action lei
alone pray for an Injunction,
c.) An Injunction will only be Issued to prevent an Immedlete or Imminent
Inlury. Alabama Binder & Chemical Corp. v. Pennsylvania Industrial Chemical Corp., 410
Pa. 214, 189 A, 2d 180 (1963); Albee HomeE, Inc. v. Caddie Homes. Inc'l 417 Pa, 177,
207 A. 2d 766 (1965); Berman v. Philadelphia, 425 Pa, 13, 228 A, 2d 189 (1967);
John G. BQlent Co, v, SlIno Testlno & Rapalr. Inc" 471 Pa. I, 369 A, 2d 1164 (1977).
Our analysis above Is clearly applicable here as well. We merely re.emphaslze that
the Flamingo Is not even open yet, there Is no evidence of any actions undertaken thus lar
thaI would even be considered breaches of the covenant, even II those actions undertaken by
Delendant could be considered breaches, they were done long belore the Instant action was
IlIed. More Importantly, clear and unequivocal assurances have been made to and received
by Plalntlfl (BILL KATSIFIS). Clearly there Is neither Immediate nor Imminent Injury 01
any sort present.
d.) If the injury Is doubtful. eventual. or contlnoBnt. eQultv will not arant
Inlunctlve rellel, Also, the lact that a thing may possibly work Inlur~ to somebody Is llQ
ground lor an Injunction. Rhodes v. Dunbar, 57 Pa. 274 (1868); Huckenstlne's Appeal, 70
Pa. 102 (1872); Pennsylvania Co, lor Insurance on Lives v. Sun Co" 290 Pa. 404, 138 A.
909 (1927),
Our analysis and above made statement Is clearly applicable here as well.
e.) An Injunction will WU Issue to allav lears and aoorehenslon as to luture
damages. Thus, a mere threat to do harm, without an overt act, Is not a sufficient ground to
grant an Injunction, and mere lear. without reasonable orobablllty of InluQl Is Insulllclent.
Eckels v, Welbley, 232 Pa. 547, 81 A, 645 (1911); POllsvllle Union Traction Co. v, St.
.QJ.a.ir, 261 Pa, 293, 104 A. 602 (1918); Edmunds v, Dull, 280 Pa, 355, 124 A. 489
(1924),
This principle Is clearly applicable to Plaintlff's III.advlsed ellort to obtain an
Injunction in the Instant case.
I. ) With regard to the principle of substantiality: There must be both Inlury and
damaQe to justlly an Injunction. A court may Issue an Injunction only when It IInds that
substantial special Inlury Is being caused, or will result lithe Injunction Is denied, and that
the delendantls responsible lor such Injury. Unless the wronQ Is manllesl, a preliminary
10
Injuncllon generally will not be awarded, Rhodes v. Dunbar, 57 Pa. 274 (1868); M1IU
Really Co. v, Wanamaw, 231 Pa. 277, 79 A. 514 (1911); Rlek v. Cramp, 357 Pa, 83,53
A, 2d 84 (1947); Food Fair Slores, Inc. v. Kllno, 396 Pa, 397, 162 A, 2d 661 (1969);
John G. Bryanl Co, v, Sling Tesllno & Rapalr.Jng., 471 Pa, t, 369 A, 2d 1164 (1977);
Valloy Forn9 Historical Soclol" v. WaAhlnalon Momorlal ChaDol, 493 Pa, 491. 426 A. 2d
1123 (1961),
The Flamingo Is nol yet open. Dlltendonl'ft acllons Ihus tar do not even violate the
covenant. Plalnllft (BILL KATSIFIS) has already be on given clear and unequivocal
assurances thai Delendant will not, In the luture, breach Ihe covenanl. Plalnll" can clearly
II.Q.1 meel Ihe substanllallly lest.
g,) With regard to the oanoral orlnelolo 01 Irraoarablllly: An Injuncllon will be
granted ~ to pravenl Irreparable Inlury, and Ills necessary lor the plain 11ft 10 show that
Irreparable harm will result IIlhe Injuncllon Is not granted. Oberly v, H. C, Frick Coke Co"
262 Pa, 83, 104 A, 864 (1918); Sluqrl v. Gimbel Bros.. Ine,. 286 Pa. 102, 131 A, 728
(1926); Keystone Guild, Ine, v, Pllppes, 399 Pa, 46, 169 A, 2d 681 (1960); Albee Homes,
Ine, v, Caddie Holmes, lne" 417 Pll. 177, 207 A, 2d 768 (1966); Samerle Corp, 01 Markel
St v, Goaa, 448 Pa. 497, 295 A. 2d 277 (1972).
PlelntlH clearly lalls to meel this standard,
h.) Assuming, for the purpose ot argument, Ihal Defendant's negligible and lil
minimis actions did conslllute a breach 01 the coven ani not to compete. a point we do not
concede except tor the limited purpQse 01 argument on this parllcular sub-polnl - then
another rule becomes eppllcable, to wit: It Is II.Q.1the Inlllal breach 01 a covenant not 10
compele which necessarily eslabllshes the exislence ollrraparable harm, bul rei her Ihe
Ihreal ot unbridled eonllnuallon 01 Ihe viola lion by Ihe covenanlor and Ihe resultanl
Incaleulabla darnal}e to the covenanlee's business that conslltutes Ihe Justlflcallon for Ihe
Issuance 01 an Inluncllon, John G, Bryanl Co v, Sling Tesllng & Repair, Ine,. 471 Pa, I,
369 A. 2d 1164 (1917).
Here, even If there was a past breach 01 Ihe covenant, II occurred quite some lime
ago, was negligible and llIl minimis and clear eSBurances have been made Ihat defend ani will
nol breach Ihe covenant.
I. ) Wllh regard 10 the proleellon 01 Ihe good will 01 a business. II Is Irue an
Inluncllon may Issue. But belore It will Issue, there musl be unconlradlcted lesllmony Ihal:
Plalnti"'s business is within the restricted terrllory; thaI lhal business has lallan
dramalleally since Delendant began working lor Ihe competition; and that an Inlunction Is
It
nscssllary to prevent Irraparabl9 harm to PlalntlWs customer relationships. Sldco P~per
,
,.
:\
i
,.
i!
I
,i
Co. v. Aaron, 466 Pa. 686,361 A. 2d 260 (1976),
Plaintiff has presented no evidence whatsoever to meet the second and third prongs of
the above requirement. In point of lact, Plaintiff cannot present any such evidence because
none exists. The Flamingo Is not even open for business, Defendant has not and will not WOOl
as a chef at the Flamingo. There Is thus no evidence to support an Injunction or to justify
Plaintiff's aotlon.
B. PLAINTIFF HAS A FULL COMPLETE AND ADEQUATE REMEDY AT LAW RENDERING
EQUITABLE RELIEF INAPPROPRIATE IN THE CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES.
Pennsylvania law Is olear that where a Plaintiff has a full and adequate remedy at
law, Issuanoe of Injunctive relief, Including preliminary Injunctive relief, Is
Inappropriate.
[A Plaintiff Is] only entitled to a preliminary Injunction If the loss
that would be Incurred pending final adjudication would not be compensable
by an award of money damages. SllL In re Arthur Treacher's Frenchlse
1Il1oatlon, 689 F. 2d 1137 (3d Clr., 1982) (preliminary Injunction vacated
where loss can be fully compensated by monetary damages awarded at final
judgment.) Only when thero Is proof that the threatened monetary loss Is so
great as to threaten the existence of the business Is a preliminary Injunction
properly granted,
Three Co, Services v. Philadelphia Inquirer, 337 Pa, Superior Ct. 241, 486 A. 2d
997, 1001 (1985), In the Instant case, Plaintiff, when and II Its business ever falls off as
a result of a breach of the Instant covenant, an event which It Is assured will not happen,
would then have a full and adequate remedy at law In damages.
C, A SUBSTANTiAl CASH BOND IS NEC~~c::ARY TO PROTECT DEFENDANT,
IN THE EVENT ANY PRELIMINARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF IS GRANTED.
Pursuant to the provisions of Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1631, Defendant
Is entitled to the posting of a substantial cash bond In the event this Court considers the
Issuance of any form of preliminary Injunctive relief In this matter.
It must be remembered that a preliminary Injunction Is a most
extraordinary form of relief which Is to be granted only In the most
compelling cases, . . . The requirement of a bond exists for the specific
purpose of protecting a defendant by supplying a fund to pay damages II this
relief Is granted erroneously.
.
,
\
~'
,
I'
1'1
Goodies Olde Fashion FudQe v. Kulros, 408 Pa. Superior Ct. 495, 697 A, 2d 141,
I:
I!
!,
12
144 (1991),
In the Instant case, Defendant, desplto Ihe negligible and di minimis nature of his
actions undertaken quite Rome time ago, and despite his clear assurances that he will nol
violate the covenant, has been forced 10 expond substantial sums of money to defend himself.
In the event this Injunction Issues he will bo forced to expend greater sums unnecessarily.
His damages will no doubt be substantial. ThlHolore, Defendant requests thaI a bond 01 at
least TWENTY. FIVE THOUSAND ($25,000,00) DOLLARS be required belore any Injuncllon
Issues,
Defendant further requests thaI the bond not be paid lor by the funds of Platanos"
Inc, Defendant Is holding shares or Ihe corporation In escrow as security for performance of
the buy.out agreement. To allow the corporation to fund the bond will expose Defendant to
unnecessary depreciation of the value of his securlly,
D, PLAINTIFFS HAVE ACTED IN lilAD FAITH AND VEXATIOUSLY IN THE
BRINGING OF THE INSTANT ACTION AND SHOULD NOT BE PERMITTED
TO HAVE ATTORNEY'S FEES AWARDEO TO THEM.
The AGREEMENT, In pertlnont part, provides the covenant not to compete, as above-
quoted, and also conlalns al pago 5, tho following:
Incidents 01 Default, Default shall be dellned as a breach of any of the
terms of this Agreement, InCluding:
g.) Breach of the covenant not to compete by Velllos.
Breach. In Ihe event of delault undar the terms of this Agreement, the
party breaching this contract shall be responsible for payment of legal fees
and COsls Incurred by the other In enforcing their rights under this
Agreement. . .. (emphasis added),
To prevail upon this Issue, Plaintiff must prove, by clear and convincing evidence,
two roundatlonallacts: 1.) Delendant, In fact, undertook and com milled acllons which are
real breaches 01 the covenant not 10 compete; and 2.) Plalnllff was justified In; acted In good
fallh In; and was necessar::y compelled to bring the Instant action to enforce lis rights,
As to the first Item, as has been shown above, the acllons undertaken by Defendant
were, In fact, not violations of the covenant. See, In this regard, the proposed Findings of
Fact, as Willi as the above analysis, and the cases cited therein, concerning the rendering of
non,f1nanclal assistance. However, even In the event these acllons could be construed as
13
vlolatlons, an event highly unlikely In view 01 the strict construollon applied to these
clauses, those actions were negligible, dll minimis, and In good faith. In point of time they
had ceased quite &ome time before the Instant action was brought. There were, to put It quite
simply, no breaches at the time this action was brought nor was there any Indication any
breaches would occur again, Rather. there were clear and unequivocal assurances that no
breaches would occur.
As to the second Item, all contracts are deemed to Integrate the general common law
and established equitable principles Into their terms without the necessity of specific
reference thereto. Both of those provide that there must be a clear and manliest reason to
enforce rights before allorney's fees can be awarded by virtue of the contractual clause
concerning allorney's fees, Let us review the facts Involved herein and their time sequence:
Defendant undertook several negligible and dll minimis actions which did not even rlGe to the
level of a breach of the covenant. There was no need to enforce any rights. In the event
Defendant's actions can even be considered breaches, they were negligible and dll minimis
and, under the well-known doctrine of de minimis non curat lex, did not justlly filing an
action In equity for an Injunction. It has been clearly shown above that the Defendant's mere
consideration or posslblllly of working as a chef has not yet occurred and the cases cited
show clearly that this consideration did not, under the circumstances herein, even approach
a Justification for requesllng an Injuncllon. But even If alt of the above points could
somehow be found to be In favor of Plaintiff's action. the most Important and most telling
facts are that Defendant acted throughout In good faith, without guile and without engaging In
any subterfuge or other Improper behavior. Also, most Importantly, Defendant, alter the
legal meaning of "radius" was explained to him. continued to actin coml"lete good faith and
his counsel proceeded to communicate clear and unequivocal assurances to Plalntllfthrough
Its then counsel, Mr. Robert G. Frey. Mr. Fyey Informed Defendant's counsel that he had
terminated his relationship with Plaintiff (BILL KATSIFIS). Defendant's counsel therefore
Immediately proceeded to send assurances to BILL KATSIFIS by leller of August 31, 1994
which was received by BILL KATSIFIS or his agents the next day, September 1, 1994, The
nature of the assurances and the tone of the leller speak for themselves.
Nevertheless, as Is evidenced by Plalnllff's own exhibits, Plaintiff, almost
contemporaneously with wrlllen receipt of the assurances, began to prepare the Instant suit.
II Is also most Interesting to consider that the vast majority of the lime and expense
Incurred by Plaintiff In this action which, even without the assurances, would have been
unjustified and unsustainable ' In fact occurred a1liL Defendant's clear and unequivocal
14
assurances were received I
Law and equity clearly do not countenance a PlalntlH's reckless disregard lor another
Individual or his rlghls nor do they permit someone 10 take an unlalr advantage 01 a situation
In a malicious, vindictive, Irresponsible or unnecessary lashlon, This Is clear at both law
and equity concerning both tOyts and contracts Issues, Sill, JL"Q., clean hands doctrine I last
clear ohance doctrine, discovered peril doctrine, and the like, Plaintiffs cannot seize upon a
contract clause, misconstrue It and the rules and principles 01 law and equity Incorporated
Into It, and launch an unjustified, premature, III,advlsed, malicious, and punitive action
against Delendant, lorce him to spend large amounts 01 money to delend such an action and
then eKpect the court to make Delendant pay Plalntllf's legal lees and costs lor an
unnecessary and Inappropriate law suit.
Clearly, Plalntlfl should nol be rewarded lor or encouraged In such conduct.
Plalntlfl should not receive any award 01 allorney's lees or other costs Irom Delendant.
Plaintiffs should bear the costs and burdens 01 their own unnecessary and III-advised actions
as an object lesson to themselves and to others who may be prone to lIIe such actions and
hope to make others, who are already the victims 01 such actions, lurther victims by lorclng
them to pay lor their Initial victimization.
CONClll<;K'lN
Plalntlfl has brought a totally unnecessary and unwarranted suit. They do not
deserVI~ to have an Injunction decreed and they most definitely do not deserve to receive an
award 01 allorney's tees lor their III-advised actions.
Respectfully submllled,
__~k__h_~_&--
Charles E. Shlelds,lII, Esquire
Mellon Bank Building
2 West Main Street
Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
. (717) 766-0209
Allorney lor Delendant
Athanaslos Velllos
15
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,
PLATANOS, INC., I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
v. I NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
I
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS, I CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
Defendant I
ORDER
AND NOW this
day of
, 1994, upon
consideration after a hearing for Preliminary Injunction, it is
hereby ordered and Decreed as follow:
A. A Preliminary Injunction is issued requiring the
Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to immediately cease and desist
any and all activity, either direct or indirect, whether
personally or as a principal, agent, employee or straw party,
relating to the planning, institution and operation of the
restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
B. A Preliminary Injunction is issued prohibiting the
Defendant from being physically present at the site of the
aforementioned restaurant which is being prepared by Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. for oparation on Route 15 in
Dillsburg.
C. A Preliminary Injunction is issued prohibiting the
Defendant from sOliciting customers of the Windsor Family
Restaurant on behalf of Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop,
Inc., and their operation at the Route 15, Dillsburg, facility.
PLATANOS, INC. , I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSVLVANIA
I
v. I NO. 94-5000 EQUITV TERM
I
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS, I CIVIL ACTION - EQUITV
Defendant I
EBOPOSED FINDINGS or FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The Petitioner in this matter is Platanos, Inc.,
co-owned by Bill Katsifis (50% owner of Platanos, Inc.)
(hereinafter "Katsifis") and Tony Koukounas (50% owner of
Platanos, Inc.) (hereinafter "Koukounas").
2. The Respondent is Athanasios Vellios (hereinafter
"Vellios") .
3. A document was executed on April 28, 1993 entitled
Installment Sales Agreement for 250 shares of stock in Platanos,
Inc., by which Vellios sold his one-half (1/2) interest in
Platanos, Inc. to Katsifis.
4. By way of the Installment Sales Agreement,
executed on April 28, 1993, Platanos, Inc. is now co-owned by
Katsifis and Koukounas, 50% to each party.
5. Platanos, Inc. is a Pennsylvania corporation,
t/d/b/a Windsor Family Restaurant located at the intersection of
Simpson Ferry Road and Wesley Drive. Prior to the execution of
the Installment Sales Agreement, Vellios had been one-half (1/2)
owner of Platanos, Inc., t/d/b/a Windsor Family Restaurant.
6. Vellios was the chef and 50\ owner of the Windsor
Family Restaurant and coordinated all kitchen activity therein.
7. The Installment Sales Agreement contains a
covenant not to compete, which states, "Vellios agrees that he
will not, either as an individual or in any other business form,
directly or indirectly, enter into competition with Platanos,
Inc. or engage in the same or similar type of baseness (sic) as
the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as a principal, agent,
employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the
Windsor Family Restaurant...for a period of three years from the
date of this contract."
8. There is a new restaurant being prepared for
opening on Route 15 in Dillsburg with the name Flamingo
Rest,aurant and Coffee Shop (hereinaftjE!r "Flamingo Restaurant").
9. The owners of record of the Flamingo Restaurant
and Coffee Shop are Efrosini Vellios (wife of Respondent
Vellios), Konstantinos Georgakopoulos, and Demetrios Zahos.
10. The Flamingo Restaurant is within a ten (10) mile
distance of the Windsor Family Restaurant.
11. Prior to the formation of the Flamingo Restaurant,
neither Efrosini Vellios, nor Konstantinos Georgakopoulos, had
ever owned a restaurant.
12. Prior to the formation of the Flamingo Restaurant,
Demetrios Zahos had owned a smaller diner with seating for less
than one hundred (100).
13. Since the beginning of the setup of the Flamingo
Restaurant, Vellios had spent every day at the Flamingo
Restaurant site, until service of the instant Petition.
14. Vellios is not currently employed outside of his
activities of the Flamingo Restaurant.
15. Vellios has participated in cleaning and washing
necessary for the preparation of the opening of the Flamingo
Restaurant.
16. Vellios has planned to cook at the Flamingo
Restaurant.
17. Vellios has acted as a mentor to Konstantinos
Georgakopoulos in the preparation for the opening of the Flamingo
Restaurant.
18. Vellios has participated in the ordering of
equipment for the Flamingo Restaurant.
19. Vellios has handed out the menu and bUBiness cards
for the Flamingo Restaurant.
20. Vellios has expressed an ongoing willingness and
desire to help in the setup and operation of the Flamingo
Restaurant.
21. The Installment Sales Agreement executed on April
28, 1993, defines an incident of default as "...a breach of any
of the terms of this Agreement, including:... (g) breach of the
covenant not to compete by Vellios."
22. The Installment Sales Agreement executed on April
28, 1993, states, "In the event of default under the terms of
this Agreement, the party breaching this contract shall be
responsible for payment of legal fees and costs incurred by the
other in enforcing their rights under this Agreement."
23. Platanos, Inc., co-owned by Katsifis and
Koukounas, and being the entity which Vellios covenanted not to
compete against, entered into a fee agreement with Friedman and
Friedman, P.C. for services to be rendered in enforcing its
rights under the Installment Sales Agl'eement executed on April
28, 1993.
24. The fee agreement entered into by Platanos, Inc.
requires payment at a rate of $175.00 per hour for the services
of Richard S. Friedman, Esquire, $125.00 per hour for the
services of John F. King, Esquire, and $35.00 per hour for a
paralegal and legal assistant's work, plus costs.
25. The fee billowed by Platanos, Inc. at time of
trial, which included 3.5 hours for travel and attendance at
hearing, is $3,009.90,
26. At heari~g, the parties were directed to prepare
Proposed Findings of Fact and Conc1us~ons of Law for submittal to
the Court.
, '
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. An Agreement tor the sale ot 50' of stook in
Platanos, Ino. by Vellios to Katsifis and Koukounas (Koukounas
being the other 50' owner ot Platanos, Ino.) was entered into by
Vellios and is a legally binding document.
2. Vellios did covenant not to compete with Platanos,
Inc., either directly or indirectly, and Vellios did covenant not
to engage in the same or similar type business as the Windsor
Family Restaurant, whether as a principal, agent, employee or
straw party, within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family
Restaurant.
3. The covenant not to compete entered into by
Vellios was supported by adequate consideration, was properly
limited in both time and territory, and was ancillary to a
contract for the sale of a business.
4. The covenant not to compete entered into by
Vellios was necessary to protect the legitimate interests of
Platanos, Inc. and of Katsifis, the purchaser of Vellios' 50%
share of the business of Platanos, Inc., and of Koukounas, the
other 50% owner of Platanos, Inc., who was a party to the
Installment Sales Agreement which contained the covenant not to
compete entered into by Vellios.
5. The covenant not to compete contained in the
Installment Sales Agreement signed by Vellios on April 28, 1993
is a legally binding covenant.
. .
6. Platanos, Inc. is a proper party to this action,
since Vellios covenanted not to compete with Platanos, Inc., and
since Platanos, Inc. is owned by the two parties with whom
Vellios executed the Agreement, Katsifis and Koukounas.
7. Vellios has breached his covenant not to compete
with Platanos, Inc. by both directly and indirectly participating
in the planning, institution, and operation of the Flamingo
Restaurant, which is within ten (10) miles of the Windsor Family
Restaurant.
8. Sufficient evidence and testimony has been given
at hearing, including direct testimony and cross examination ot
Vellios and through his attorney, Charles E. Shields, III,
Esquire, to allow for an Order enjoining Vellios from any further
activities, either as an individual or in any other business
form, directly or indirectly, from entering into competition with
Platanos, Inc., or from engaging in the same or similar type of
business as the Windsor Family Restaurant, whether as a
principal, agent, employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile
radius of the windsor Family Restaurant.
9. Platanos, Inc. has incurred legal fees and costs
in its efforts to enforce the covenant not to compete given by
Vellios.
10. Vellios is responsible for the payment of the legal
fees and costs incurred by Platanos, Inc. in the enforcement ot
the covenant not to compete.
11. The oosts incurred, including attorney's fees, by
the Petitioner for the preparation of Proposed Findings of Faot
and conolusions of Law are recoverable under the terms of the
Installment Sales Agreement.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner prays that this Honorable
Court find in favor of the Petitioner and against the Respondent
as followSI
A. A Preliminary Injunction be issued requiring the
Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to immediately cease and desist
any and all activity, oither direct or indirect, whether
personally or as a principal, agent, employee or straw party,
relating to the planning, institution and operation of the
restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee ShOp, Inc.
B. A Preliminary Injunction be issued prohibiting the
Defendant from being physically present at the site of the
aforementioned restaurant which i~ being prepared by Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. for operation on Route 15 in
Dillsburg.
C. A Preliminary Injunction be issued prohibiting the
Defendant from sOliciting customers of the Windsor Family
Restaurant on behalf of Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop,
Inc., and their operation at the Route 15, Dillsburg, facility.
~
/\
./
- ._-~
IH/:l8 '. 8.k.
ENTERF.D INTO, This ~h day of April, 1993
BETWEEN ATHANASIOS VELLlOS ,of 1750 Ashland Drive, York, Pennsylvunla 17404
hereinafter known as Velllos,
AND
BILL KATSIFlS, of Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, PennsylvllOla,
hereinafter known os Katsifis,
AND
TONY KOUKOUNAS. of Mechonicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
hereinafter known os Koukounas. Koukounas joins in the within agreement to evidence his IlSsent
to the wlllTllnties and guaranties made by him herein;
WITNESSETH: That the said Vellios, in consideration of the tenns and conditions
hereinafter memioned and comained, agrees to tronsfer and deliver unto the said Katsifis, his heirs
IlOd IIssigns,
Two Hundred Fifty (250) shares of common stock in Platonos, Inc., which said shares of
stock represent the entire remaining interest of Vellios in PlalaJ1OS, Inc., and which said shares
constitute a one-half (1/2) interest in PlalaJ1os, Inc. Vellios agrees to execute all necessary
documenlS contempor.ll1cously with the signing of this document to effect the immediate tronsfer
of said shares 10 Katsifis.
IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the parties herelo agree as follows:
Purchase orlce. KalSifis agrees 10 pay to Vellios therefor, Ihe sum of $150,000.00 Dollars,
as follows:
(I) $55,000.00 dollars upon the execution of this Agreement of Sale, the receipl whereof is
hereby acknowledged by Vellios, and which said $55,000.00 is more specifically paid as follows:
0. $10,000.00 which is held in escrow by Charles E. Shields, III, Esquire, allomey
for Vellios and which is agreed by the parties hereto to be released to Vellios contemporaneously
with the signing of this Agreement.
b. $40,050.00 to be paid by cenified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
Platanos, Inc. as a loan 10 the corporation. It is the understonding of the panies hereto that
contemporaneously with this agreement PlatllOos, Inc. will make paymenlto Vellios of $40,050.00,
which figure. represents full payment of Ihe debt owed by Platanos, Inc. to Vellios.
c. $4,950.00 to be paid by cenified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
Athanasios Vellios.
AlJfllENTICATED BY
Vellios:
AUTIIENTICATED BY
Katsifis:
AUUIENTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
~v
Ole.
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(2) Ihe balwlce of $95,0<XI,lXI dollars if momllly Twenty-eight monthly InSlIlllment5,
Including u balloon payment of $IC),(XXI.<XI, whl I balloon pu ment shull be surplemenllll and In
oddltionto the regulllr monthly ptlymcnt of due " IInd IIlso II lina balloon pllyment
of $IO,1l35.1l7 due In the twenty-eighth month as more fully set forth on the ulluched amorti7.ntlon
schcdule which is incorporatcd herein by referenced, said monthly hlsullhnents to be applied first
to interest at the rute of eight (1l.(XI%) pcrcentl~~~(.\\~I.!.1 on the unpllid balance of principal, said l'
monthly InstalImeUlto be paid onllt ~fore the. 'ay of each month, beginning Ma~(" 19')3. '~Y\ ~ I
and thereafter on or before the ~l Day of ellch succceding month until principal WId interest have . LJ' J
been fully paid, except that, if not ~lXlIlcr paid, Ihe ~ald principal and interest ~hal1 be paid in full /1 . f---
by the twenty-eighth month as uforesaid, anything herein contained to the contmry I.J 1<.
notwithstllnding.
J>r~t1avmenl. KatsiOs shal1 hllve Ihe privilege ofJllIying liS much more thun the l'C(!uired
monthly insllllhnelll of principal and interest us he esires, IInd nothing contlllned in this
Agrcement shllll be construed to limit the reduction of principal to said IImoUlll. Interest shal1 be
computed on the unpaid principal baluncc. Provided, however, thlltllny prepllyment made shall be
limited to one or more increments of prlnclplIl us shown on the amortization or a payment of IIn
amount c'lualto the full payment of the outsltlllding obligation on the dllte of payment.
Place of Davmenl. All payments slmli be mude to Vellios at whatever address is designated
in writing, and until funhcr notice at 1750 Ashland Drive, York, Pennsylvllnia 17404.
Secllrllv. As security for perfomlance by KalSilis of the terms and conditions contained
herein, Katsilis agrecs to execute contemporaneously with the within Agrcemelll a Stock Pledge
Agreement pledging the aforesaid 250 shares of Platanos, Inc. as security to be held by Charles E.
Shields, III, Esquire, 2 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvllnia 17055, as attorney for
Vellios until full performance under the tenns of this Agreernelll.
As further security for perfonnance by Katsifis of the terms and conditions contained herein,
Tony Koukounas, docs hereby agree to personally guarantee the perfonnllOce of KalSiOs of the
temls and conditions of this Agreement. To secure said guarllOtec, Koukounas does hereby agree
to execute contemporaneously with the within Agreement a Stock Pledge Agreement pledging 250
shares of Platanos, Inc., representing his entire ownership interest in Platanos, Inc. Said shares
shall be held by Robert G. Frey, Esquire, 5 South HllOover Street, Carlisle, PennsylvllOia 17013,
as attorney for 10hn KalSifis. Provided, however, that all parties hereto acknowledge that the Stock
Pledge Agreemelll given by Koukounll.~ to Vellios is subordinate IlOd inferior to a Stock Pledge
Agreement given by Koukounas to 10hn Katsifis. Tony Koukounas and Bill KalSifis each agrees
to execute a demand note, co-signed by each party's respective wife, in the wnount of $95,000.00
as further security and as surety and guarllOtee of the said perfonnances by Katsifis.
Incidents of OwnershiD. It is also agreed between the panies hereto that without regard to
any of the provisions to the contrary regarding the holding or pledging of stock certificates,
KlIlsilis shall be entitled to all the incidents of ownership in the said shares of stock in Plaulnos,
Inc. and shall be entitled to receive rents, issues, and profits from the date of this agreement.
Provided, however, that KnlSifis and Koukounas agree that as owners, officers, and directors of
Platanos, Inc., they will not without the express wrillen conselll of Vellios and 10hn Katsifis, issue
additional shares of common or preferred stock, or restructure or recapitalize the stock structure of
Platanos, Inc. Kntsifis and Koukounas agree that neither of them shall Il.~sign, sell, lronsfer or
otherwise further encumber any shares of Platanos, Inc., until such time as Vellios and 10hn
KlllsiOs are paid in full. The restrictions and agreemenlS with respect to the shares of Plata nos
shall continue and be in full force and effect only until Vellios and 10hn Katsilis are paid in full
under the temlS of this Agreement.
,.f1/
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
/1v
AUTIlENTICATED BY
Katsilis:
AU111ENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
a3 K.
-1 r.
2
Dellverv .If shnreN. Upon compliance with the foregoing tcnns nnd conditions and
Iltlyment of the said purehase price In full by KutsUls, VelHos shllll pnlmptly delIver to Kn15ll1s the
250 shares of stock In Platanos, Inc. which is pil'dged us security for pcrfontlUnce by KlIlslfis ,!f
the tcnns unl! conditions of this Agreement, and VelHos slmll prmnptly sign II general relcase III
fuvor of Katsll1s und Koukounas.
Defnull. In the evcntthe sllid KUlSifis shull fail to make any monthly payment for u period
of thirty (30) days uftcr the stune shall hllve become due and payable by the temls hereof, or If u
breuch of any of Ihe foregoing conditions be nlUde by Kalsil1s, lhen und In such clIse this
Agreemem shall, at the option of VelHos, becomc null und void and the sllld KUlSifis shall forfcltall
monies then paid II.~ Iiquidlllcd damuges. In the altcmlllive, Vellios may elect to have the entire
principal sum remulning unpaid become due and paYllble at once and mllY be collect the samc by
suit or otherwise. Provided, however, Ihlltthat no sueh default shall occur unless Velllos has given
KlllSifis and any other shareholders of Platanos, Inc. allcastthil1y (30) dllYs wrI11en notice of such
violution of the tenns hereof. Katslfis, or 11IIY other shareholdcr of Plnlanos, Inc. shall have the
right to correct such default during said thirty-day period, provided, however, that said curing pm1Y
give ut Icastlifteen (15) days wrI11en notice of inlentto cure said dcfault. If a shllreholder elects to
cure the default of KlIlsil1s, said shareholder shall
a. Completely curc the default of Katsilis
b. Execute IlO agreement assuming all of the temtS of this Agreement.
c. Execute a stock pledge agreement in same form as the Stock Pledge Agreement
executed by KalSifis parsuantto this Agreement.
If said shareholder elects to remedr the default and assume the obligations of Katsifis,
Vellios and KalSifis will fully cooperate In the assignment of Katsifis's shares of Plalllnos Inc.,
subject 10 the Stock Pledge agreement, to the assuming shareholder.
NonwaIver of rlehls. Acceptance by Vellios of any of the aforesaid monthly paymenlS
after the same shall have become past due and in default, or llOy failure to enforee llOy of the rights
herein reserved to the parties of the first pllrt, or any of the penalties, forfeitures, damages or
conditions herein contained, shall not in any wise be considered a waiver of the right to enforce
the same at any time and IIny allempt to collect the amount due by one proceeding shall not be
considered a waiver of the right to institute any of the other proceedings herein provided, but all of
the righlS of Vellios, and all forfeitures, penalties, dalllllges and conditions IIlIIY be enforced
together or successively at the option of Vellios.
Covenanl nol 10 comoele. Vellios agrees that he will not, either as IlO individual or in any
other business form, directly or indirectly, enter into competition with Platanos, Inc. or engage in
the same or similar type of baseness as the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as a principal,
agclll, employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant,
located atlhc comer of Trindlc IlOd Windsor Road for a period of three years from the date of this
Contract.
Wnrrontieos and indemnificotiQns:
Warrantv relmrdlnl! laxl!S. Vellios hcreby WlllTllnts that all taxes owed by
Platanos, Inc., including real estate, income. and corpomte taxes and unemployment
compensmion contribution for prior years have been paid, excepting those set forth on
Exhibit "A", atl:lched hereto and incorpomted herein. Vellios agrees to indemnify and
defend Kal~ifis for his share of any tax deficicncies owed or alleged to be owed by
AUTHENTICA1ED BY
Vellios:
';'1/
AUTIIENTICA11:D BY
Katsifis:
13./L.,
AUTHENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
3
--rr:
PllIlanos, Inc. for 1992 and plior ycars. Velllos warrants thut nil suld IlIxes nnd
ussessments due in CO'lIIC'4~tlon with the openltion of Plutllnos, Ine. and the Windsor
Family Re:JUlunlntto an)' city, county, state, or federal govenllnentnlllgeneles, shall be
paid In full up to the date of selllemcnt and thnt ull due relums, fonns, and taxes re'lulred
to be filed with sllld ngencies have been properly filed und pnid us of the sculemem dute,
or will be so filed nnd ptlid in due course thereafter.
Warranty r~.,nrdlnv DSflii~ls Dnd lIoblUtl~s of Coruornllnn. Vcllins hereby
warrants that the assels und liabilities are as set forth on ExMhlt "A" uuached hereto
und Incorporated herein by reference. Vellios shull indemnify Kutsilis for Kutsif1s's
slHlre of the corponlle obligation for any debts not disclosed to Kmsif1s on Exhibit
"AU,
Worran." of confnrnlllv with (~()vernment revulntlnns. Vcllios wammls
thllt he Is not aware of any governmental notices conceming IIny violations of uny
FederuJ, SUIte or locllllaw, rule or regullltion, nor of any work required to be perfonned
or any assessment for any thing whnlSOCver, Including, but not limited to, sidewnlk,
Slrcet, water and sewer, and other such improvements. Vellios wamllllS thnt the existing
utilities are sufficient to servicc the premises and Its cun-cnt operations. Velllos wurrants
thnt the existing use of the premises is a permilled use ur.der all applicable 7.Oning
ordinllOccs, or that n celtificllle of non-conformance from the approprillle lOning
officials shall be providlld on or before settlement.
Worranty of romDllonce with Lease obllqotlolls. Vellios wamults that the
Lease Agreement ntlllched hereto as Exhibit "B" Is the current agreement between
Platanos, Inc. and Weis Markets and that there have been no modifications, wriuen or
oral, of the terms thereof. Vellios further warrants that he is unaware of any uncured
violations of any of the tenus of said lease IlOd that he has received no notice of default
in the terms of the lease. Katslfis acknowledges that said Lease conUlins a personal
guarantee by Vellios and Nicholas Barokos, a fonner shareholder. Kal~Ifis and
Koukounas each covenanlS that he will make all reasonable efforts to remove Vellios's
gullrllOtee from future lease ajlTCCmenlS. Until such time as Vellios is no longer a
gUllrllOtor of the lease obligallon with Wels Markets, Katsifis and Koukounas will
indemnify, defend and hold Vellios harmless from any liubility arising from said
personal guarllOtee. Further, for as long this Agreement is in effect, Katsifis and
Koukounas agree that they will cause Platanos, Inc. to deliver by bank-to-bank wire
tronsfer, the monthly rental payments to Weis MarkelS IlOd will provide Vellios with
copies of the bank receipt evidencing said transfer.
Warranty or insurance. Katsifis and Koukounas both warrlll1t that they have
made application for and the corporation will pay for business interruption insurance,
the tenns of which are as set forth on Exhibit "D", allached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. KalSifis and Koukounas wonnntthat they will cause PlatRllos, Inc.
to keep said insurance in full force and effect IlOd shall forwllrd copies of the renewal
declarations to Vellios for the life of this Agreement and Guaralllee.
AlITHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
AlITHENTICATED BY
Katsifis:
AUTI-lENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
IIV
6./<,
4
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Malerlolllv of Worronlll'S. 11lis Agreement is expressly contlngenl upon the
wurrunties of Vellios being tnte und com'l::t III the sclllement dllle. Any express
contingency in this Agreementmuy be wuived in writing by the party to be benefited by
the contingency III the time of seulement. In the event thllt wlY such collllngency fails
this Agreement shall be null und void und ull deposit monies shal1 be returned to
KUlslfis without dcduction und without funher liabHity hereunder on the pUl1 of either
party herel'l. All wlllTllntles In this Agreement, not expressly waived shlll1 IIlso be
considered covenants of this Agreement und uny faHure of uny wurmnty shal1 be
considered a default in the tenlls of the IIgreement by the breal1hing pany and shull
entitle the nonbreaching parties to (III the rights and responsibilities on default as set
forth in this Agreement. Provided, however. that the breaching purty shall be entitled to
cure the failure of any wllITlInty within thiny (30) days from the dute he receives wrillen
notice of the failure of uny wlllTllnty given by him.
Coroorale necords. Koukounas and Katsifis agree that, as officers, directors and
shareholders of Plutallos, Inc., they shall authorize the person or persons responsible for the
keeping of the books, accounts, lmd records to make available to Vellios on a monthly basis n
statement of the income and expenses of Plntanos, Inc. in a form substantially the SUllie as the
monthly reports now prepared for Platnnos, Inc. by Gift Sniegocki & Assoeiutes, the most recelll
mOlllhly report being auached hereto as Exhibit "C".
Ineldenls of Defuull. Default shall be defined as u breach of any of the tenn~ of this
Agreement, including:
a. Failure of Kntsifis to mllke any payment as aforesaid.
b. Breach of any of the above-stated warranties.
c. Entry into bankruptcy under any chapter of the BllOkntptcy Code.
d. Breach of the tenns of the lease by PlatllOos, Inc.
e. A permanent cessation of business known as the Windsor Family Restaurant.
f. Failure of Platanos, Inc. 10 pay all taxes when due, unless there is a good faith
dispute concerning said taxes.
g. Breach of the covenant not to compete by Vellios.
Breach. In the event of default under the tenus of this Agreemel\t, the party breaching this
contract shall be responsible for paymem of legal fees and costs incurred by the other in enforcing
their rights under thiS Agreement. Should KnlSifis breach the tenus of this AgreementllOd should
said breach not be cured as provided in this Agreement, Vellios shall hllve the right to declare this
Agreement null and void and to retain all payments received as liquidated damages. Vellios shall
further have the option to re-enter and operate the Windsor Family Reslllutant as owner pursuant
to the Stock Pledge Agreemellls, or, in lhe alternative, he shal1 have the option to acce1erute as due
and immediately payable, the entire unpaid principal amount as evidenced by the Demand Notes
executed by Katsifis and Koukounas and to col1ect thereon. Nothing herein contained shal1
restrict any rights he may have to go against Tony Koukounas er la., upon any guarantee or surety
or other agreement.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vel1ios:
AUTIIENTICATED BY
Kat5ifis:
~.I~.
AUTIIENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
I'tv
5
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Modincnllon. No modlficlltlon of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, unless
the same shall be in writing and duly approvcd by both of the parties hereto.
Nonnssh!llobllity. The Interest of KlIlsifis in this AgreemeJll shall not be assignable, in
whole or in pan, without the prior wrlllen consent and approval of Vellios, and If such assignment
Is allempted, nil rights and remedies of Vellios set forth herein or which Vellios may otherwise
have, shall immediately accrue to Vellios. Transfer of title by Will, survivorship, descent or by
election of a shareholder to cure the default of Katslfis shall not be regarded as an assignment
requiring the consentllOd approval of Vellios.
Survival of Al!reement. 111is Agreement is to extend to and be binding upon the heirs,
successors, executors, administmtors, and assigns of the panies hereto.
Document Compliance. The undersigned panles for and in considemtion of the temls of
this Agreement, if requested by llOy other party or the attorney of any other pliny , to fully
cooperate and adjust for clerical errors, or omissions, in any or all of the closin~ documenllltion if
deemed necessary or desirable in the reasonable discretion of any pany or their attorney, to fully
consummate said Agreement. The undersigned panies do hereby so agree and covenant In order
to assure that this documenUltion executed this date will confoml and be acccptable and complete
to the standard practices and requirements.
INTENDING TO BE LEG ALL Y BOUND, WITNESS OUR HANDS AND SEALS,
on this page 6 of 6 pages, the day and year first above wrillen.
WITNESS: ,//J A,
~M~g~7lL
a~.e'J ~.~)--nr
~~h~ E /LM/JiL
,I1-('1a"1.a.-! I~ 1/ ~ett(SEAL)
Athunasios VeIHos
13~ k~ r./ (SEAL)
Bill Kntsifis ' /~ -q
d~ t_ j~ - .. (SEAL)
Tony~~
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
AUlliENTICATED BY
Klltsifis:
uJf<,
AUlliENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
Av
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6
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4.(.,.1\...,...,......
DEFENDAN1'$
EXHmll
August 31, 1994
Mr. Bill Katslfls
Windsor Family Resteuranl
5144 Simpson Ferry Road
Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
In Re:
Tom Velllos . Flamingo Restaurant
Dear Bill:
Please be advised Ihal as of 10:30 A.M. Ihls morning I was advised by Rob Frey Ihal he Is
In the process of terminating his representation of you. Therefore, I am writing to you directly.
I have had several conversations wllh Effie Velllos this morning concerning the Flamingo
(formerly Chalel) Restaurant. She has assured me In the most definite terms of the following:
1 .) Tom Velllos Is nol and will not be Involved In the Flamingo. He Is not an owner of
any Interesl. Only Effie, her uncle and her cousin are holders of any Inlerest.
2.) Tom will not be Ihe chef or cook or be employed In any other capacity nor will he
work for free In any manner at Ihe Flamingo,
3.) Effle's uncle, Jim Zahos, Is 66 years old and has plenty of experience In the
restaurant business and Is a good chef. Her cousin, Gus, has plenly of experience as a
cook and short order cook. They have managed to survive on Ihelr own so far without
Tom Velllos and Intend to continue 10 do 50 In the fulure.
4. ) There Is no date set yet for opening the business. Therefore Ills obvious
anything you are hearing 15 only speculation. In view of that, the assur~nces from
Effie which I am communicating to you at her direction and under her aUlhorlty, should
serve to pUI an end to this mailer unless you discover that Torn 15, In facl, working allhe
Flamingo, an event, In view of Ihe assurances given, which I would regard as highly
unlikely.
5.) I have also been Inslructed 10 nollfy you Ihat your payment Is lale. I hope Ihls
will be paid promptly and Is nol a prelude to an effort 10 cause my client's aggravation
&-l~It'>IT ' A"
I
(
"'1/:l8 . l1.k.
ENTERED INTO, Thls~h day of April, 1993
BETWEEN ATHANASIOS VELLlOS ,of 1750 Ashland Drive, York, PennsylvllOia 17404
hereinl1fter known os Vellios,
AND
BIlL KATSIFlS, of Silver Spring Township, CumberlllOd County, Pennsylvania,
hereinaflCr known as Katsifis,
AND
TONY KOUKOUNAS, of Mechanicsburg, CumberlllOd County, PennsylvllOia,
hereinafter known as Koukounas. Koukounas joins in the within agreement to evidence his assent
to the wlUTllllties IlOd gUlll'Wlties made by him herein;
WITNESSETH: That the said Vellios, in consideration of the tenns and conditions
hereinafter mentioned and cOlllwned. agrees to tronsfer and deliver unto the said KolSifis, his heirs
IlOd assigns,
Two Hundred Fifty (250) shares of common stock in PlalaJ1Os, Inc., which said shares of
stock represent the entire remaining interest of Vellios in PlalaJ1os, Inc., and which said shares
constitute a one-half (1/2) interest in PlalllnOS, Inc. Vellios agrees to execute all necessary
documents tontemporaneously with the signing of this document to effect the immediate transfer
of said shares to Katsifis.
IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Purchase nrlce. Kotsifis agrees to pay to Vellios therefor, the sum of $150,000.00 Dollars,
as follows:
(1) $55,000.00 dollars upon the execution of this Agreement of Sale, the receipt whereof is
hereby acknowledged by Vellios, and which said $55,000.00 is more specificaily paid as follows:
a. $10,000.00 which is held in escrow by Charles E. Shields, m, Esquire, attorney
for Vellios and which is agreed by the parties hereto to be released to Vellios contemporaneously
with the signing of this Agreement.
b. $40,050.00 to be paid by certified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
Platanos, Inc. as a 101lO to the corporation. It is the underslaJ1ding of the parties hereto that
contemporaneously with this agreement Plalllnos, Inc. will make payment to Vellios of $40,050.00,
which figure represents full payment of the debt owed by PlalaJ10S, Inc. to Vellios.
c. $4,950.00 to be paid by certified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
Athanasios Vellios.
AlITHENTlCATED BY
Vellios:
~V
AUlllENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
AUlHENTlCA TED BY
Koukounas:
Ole.
1F-
PLAINTIFF'.
EXHIBIT
/
I
I
(
Delivery of shures. Upon compliance with the foregoing tenns and conditions IUld
payment of the said purehase price In full by Katsifis, Vellios shall promptly deliver to KUlJiif1s the
250 shares of stock In Plalllnos, Inc. which Is pledged as security for perfonnnnce by Kalsif1s of
the tenus and conditions of this Agreement, and VelHos shall promptly sign a general relcuse In
favor of KalSlfis and Koukounlls.
1ll:f'w.U.. In the event the said Katsll1s shall full. to 1II11k~ any monthly payment for u peril'ld
of thirty (30) days after the sanle shall have become due and payable by the tenns hereof, or if II
breach of llOy of the foregoing conditions be nuule by Katsilis, then IlOd In such case this
Agreement shall, at the option of Vellios, become null and void IlOd the said Katsif1s shall forfeit 1111
monies then paid as liquidated damages. In the alternative, Vellios may elect to haye the enllre
prlnelpal sum remaining unpaid become due and payable at once and may be collect the SlIme by
suit or otherwise. Proylded, however, that that no such default shall occur unless Velllos has given
KalSlfis IlOd llOy other shareholders of PlatllOos, Inc. at least thirty (30) days wrillen notice of such
violation of the tenus hereof. Katsifis, or any other shareholder of PlalaJ1os, Inc. shall have the
right to correct such default during said thirty-dny period, provided, however, that said curing party
give at least fifteen (15) days wrillen nollce of Intent to cure said default. If a shareholder elects to
cure the default of Katsifis, said shareholder shall
a. Completely cure the default of KalSlfis
b. Execute an agreement assuming all of the tenus of this Agreement.
c. Execute a stock pledge agreement In same fonn as the Stock Pledge Agreement
executed by KalSlfis purSUllOtto this Agreement
If said shareholder elects to remedy the default and assume the obligallons of Katsifis,
VelUos and KalSifis will fully cooperate in the assignment of KalSlfis's shares of PlalaJ10s Inc.,
subject to the Stock Pledge agreement, to the assuming shareholder.
Nonwaiver or rll!hts. AcceplaJ1ce by Vellios of any of the aforesaid monthly paymenlS
afler the same shall have become past due and In default, or any failure to enforce llOy of the rights
herein reserved to the parties of the fIrSt pan, or any of the penalties, forfeitures, darrlllges or
conditions herein conlll1lled, shall not In any wise be considered a waiver of the right to enforee
the same at any time and any attempt to collect the amount due by one proceeding shall not be
considered a waiver of the right to Institute any of the other proceedings herein provided, but all of
the rights of Vellios, and all forfeitures, penalties, damages and conditions may be enforced
together or successively at the option of Vellios.
Coyenant not to cornDete. Vellios agrees that he will not, either as an individual or in any
other business form. directlr or indirectly, enter into competition with Platanos, Inc. or engage in
the same or similar type 0 baseness as the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as a principal,
agent, employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant,
located at the comer of TrlndJe IlOd Windsor Road for a period of three years from the date of this
Controcl.
WArranties and Indemnifications:
Warranty re~ardin~ tnxes. Vellios h~reby warrants that all taxes owed by
Plalllnos, Inc., including real estate, income, and corporate taxes and unemployment
compensation contribution for prior years have been paid, excepting those set forth on
Exhibit "A", allached hereto and incorporated herein. Vellios agrees to indemnify and
defend KalSifis for his share of any till( deficiencies owed or alleged to be owed by
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
I'fv
AUTHENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
a3.1t.(,
3
AUlHENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
--r.r-
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Platanos, Inc. for 1992 and prior years. Velllos wllITlInts that wi said taxes and
assessments due 1'1 connection with the operation of Plaulllos, Inc. and the Windsor
Family RestalllUllI to any city, county, Slllte, or federal govemmenllllagencles, shall be
paid lit full up to the date of settlementllOd that 011 due returns, fonns, and taxes required
to be flied with said agencies have been properly filed IlOd paid as of the settlement date,
or will be so flied IlOd paid in due course thereafter.
Wllrrnntv revordinll assets and Ilahllltles or COfnorotlon... Vellios herehy
wWTllnts thaI the assets and liabilities are as set forth on Exhibit" A" attached hereto
and incorporuted herein by reference. Vellios shall indemnify Katsifis for Katsifis's
share of the corporate obligation for any deblS not disclosed to Katslfis on Exhibit
"AU.
Worrllnlv of conformltv with Government reaulatlons.. Vellios womUltS
that he is not aware of any govemmentw notices concerning any violations of any
Federal, Slllte or locwlaw, rule or regulation, nor of any work required to be perfonned
or any assessment for llOy thing whatsoever, Including, bUI not limited 10, sidewalk,
street, water and sewer, and other such improvemenlS. Velllos warrants that the existing
utilities are sufficienlto servlee the premises and Its current Qperotions. Vellios warrants
that the existing use of the premises is a pennllted use under all applicable zoning
ordinances, or thaI a certificate of non-eonfonnance from the approprlale zoning
officials shall be provided on or before settlement.
Warranty 01 comnllonce with Lease obllvatlons. Vellios warrants that the
Lease Agreement altached hereto as Exhibit "B" is the currenl agreement between
PlalaJ1os, Inc. and Weis MarkelS and th~ there have been no modifications, written or
oral, of the lerms thereof. Vellios further warrants thaI he is unaware of any uncured
violadons of any of the tenns of said lease and that he has received no notice of default
In the terms of the lease. Katslfis acknowledges that said Lease contains a personal
guarantee by Vellios and Nicholas Barakos, a former shareholder. Katsifis and
Koukounas each covenants that he will make 011 reasonable efforlS 10 remove Vellios's
guarantee from future lease aFments. Until such time as Vellios Is no longer a
p1arantor of the lease obllgauon with Weis MarkelS, Katsifis and Koukounas will
Indemnify, defend and hold Vellios hann1ess from any liability arising from said
personal guarantee. Further, for as long this Agreement is In effect, Katsifis and
Koukounos agree that they will cause Platanos, Inc. to deliver by bank-to-bank wire
transfer, the monthly rental payments to Weis Markets and will provide Vellios with
copies of the bank receipt evidencing said transfer.
Warranty of Insurance. Katsifis and Koukounas both WlUTIIIlt that they have
made application for and the corporation will pay for business IntelTUption Insurance,
the tenns of which are as set forth on Exhibit "0", attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. KalSifis and Koukounas warrant thaI they will cause Platanos, Inc.
to keep said Insurance in full force and effect and shall forward copies of the renewal
declarations to Vellios for the life of this Agreemenl and Guarantee.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
AU1HENTICATEO BY
Katsifis:
AU1HENTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
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4
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Mnll!rlnlUv IIrWnrrnnlll!!l. '11lis Agrccment is expressly contingent upon the
warrnnties of Vellios bang trUe and correct at Ihe settlement dtlle. Any express
contingency In this Agreeme/lllllay be waived in writing by the party to be benefited by
the contingency 01 the time of senlement.' In the event that llOy such contingency falls
this Agreement shall be null and void and 011 deposit monies sholl be returned to
KatslOs without deduction and without further liability hereunder on the part of either
pany hereto. All warmnlies in this Agreement, nol expressly waived shall also be
considered covenllllts of this Agreement nnd any fllllure of uny warranty shull be
considered II defauit in the temls of the agreement by the brcllchlng purty nnd shull
entitle the nonbreaching parties to 011 the rights IlOd responsibilities on default as set
forth In this Agreement. Provided, however, that the breaching pany shllll be entitled to
cure the failure of llOy wllITlInty wlthlnthiny (30) days from the date he receives wrlllen
notice of the failure of IIIIY warronty given by him.
Cornorole Records. Koukounas IlOd KalSlOs agree that, as officers, directors and
shareholders of PlatllOos, Inc., they shall authorize the person or persons responsible for the
keeping of the books, accounts, and records to make available to Vellios on a monthly basis a
statement of the income and expenses of PlalaJ1os, Inc. in a fonn subslllntilllly the sllllle as the
monthly repons now prepared for PlalWlos, Inc. by Oift Sniegocld & Associates, the most recent
monthly repon being allached hereto lIS Exhibh "C".
Incldenls or nernull. Default shall be defined as a breach of any of the tenns of this
Agreement, including:
a. Failure of KntsiOs to make llOy pnyment as aforesaid.
b. Breach of any of the above-slllted warranties.
c, Entry into bankruptcy under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code.
d. Breach of the tenns of the lease by Plalllnos, Inc.
CI, A pennanent cessation of business known as the Windsor Family Restaumnt.
f. Failure of PlalllnOs, Inc. to pay all taxes when due, unless there is a good faith
dispute concerning said lOXes.
g. Breach of the covenant not to compete by Vellios.
Breach. In the event of default under the tenus of this Agreement, the party breaching this
contract shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and COSlS Incurred by the other in enforcing
their rights under this Agreement. Should Katsifis breach the tenns of this Agreement and should
said breach not be cured lIS provided in this Agreement, Vellios sholl have the right to declare this
Agreement null and void and to retain all payments received as liquidated damages. Vellios shall
funher have the option to re-enter and operate the Windsor Family Restaurant as owner pursuant
to the Stock Pledge Agreements, or, in :he alternative, he shall have the option to accelerate as due
and immediately payable, the entire unpaid principal amount as evidenced by the Demand Notes
executed by Katsifis and Koukounas and to collect thereon. Nothing herein contained shall
restrict any righlS he may have to go against Tony Koukounas et UK., upon Bny guarantee or surety
or other agreement.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
!tV
AUTIlENTICA TED BY
Kalsifis:
V3 .tot:..
AU1HENTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
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5
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Modlncollon. No modification of this Agreement shall be binding uJlollthe pmies, unless
the slime shllll be in writing and duly opproved by both of the panles hereto.
/,,/onosslllnoblllty. The interest of KlIlSifls in this Agreement shllll not be assignable, in
whole or In plll1, without the prior written consentllnd npprovlll of Vellios, IInd if such assignment
is lI11empted, oll rights IInd remedies of Vellios set forth herein or which Vellios may otherwise
have, sholl immediately IIccrue to Vellios. Transfer of title by WiU, survivorship, descent or by
election of a shareholder to cure the defauh of Katslfis shnll not be regarded liS IIn IlSsignrr.ent
requiring the consentllnu IIpproval of Vellios.
Survlvol or Avreement. This Agreement is to extend to IlOd be binding upon the heirs,
successors, executors, IIdminislrotors, IlOd assigns of the panies hereto.
Document Comollonl'e. The undersigned pnnles for and in considerotion of the tenns of
this Agreement, if requested by lInY other pllrly or the attorney of lInY other party , 10 fully
cooperate lInd IIdjust for clerical errors, or omissions, in llOy or 1Il1l)f the closing documentation if
deemed necessary or deslroble In the reasonable discretion of any pany or their attorney, 10 fully
consummate sold Agreement. The undersigned panies do hereby 50 agree and covennntln order
to IlSsure thllt this documentation executed this date will conform lInd be acceptable and complete
to the standlU'll practices and requirements.
INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, WrrNESS OUR HANDS AND SEALS,
on this page 6 of 6 pages, the day and year flI'St nbove written.
(C;~g~:or
~~8..~~
~jh~ E ./LaJ'JjL
1!:t':!a."1,aA I~ I/~etl-<SEAL)
Athanasios VeUios
~~s I<~~ (SEAL)
d~...~-, t_ 1...- -- ~, (SEAL)
TOny~
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
AUTHENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
(3.1<,
AuntENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
/Iv
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6
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FRIEDMAN & FRIEDMAN, p.c.
^TTOIINI~YI> AT LAW
ClOO N. SI!r.ONIl ST.
I'Y.NTIII)llSI! SUlTY.
pO, JIox 11I1.~
llAIIHlsIIUlIll, I'I!NNSYLVANIA 111011
1717IUUO.Ol}l)U
1a!.UXUJ'1J1lt1 Nu. (117) Ill)tHIOnO
RICHAHIl S. I'HI.IlNAI'I
JOHI'II'. KII'IO
EIl"'''"1l I'..I.I>NAI'I
RITI...I>
September 1, 1994
Tony Koukounas and Bill Katsifis
Platanos, Inc.
Dear Tony and Bill:
We are pleased that you have asked our firm to represent
Platanos, Inc. in its enforcement of the covenant not to compete
entered into with Mr. Vellios. This letter is the written fee
contract which Pennsylvania law requires attorneys to have with
their clients. We, Friedman and Friedman, p.e., will provide legal
services to you on the terms set forth below.
1. This agreement will not take effect, and we will have no
obligation to provide legal services; until you return a signed
copy of this agreement. This agreement will take effect when you
have performed the conditions stated in Paragraphs 1 and 2, but its
effective date will be retroactive to the date we first performed
services. The date at the beginning of this agreement is for
reference only. Even if this agreement does not take effect, you
will be obligated to pay us the reasonable value of any services we
may have performed for you.
2.
we have
reserve
Although it is customary for us to receive a retainer fee,
waived a retainer in your particular case. However, we
the right to require a deposit (retainer) in the future.
3. We feel that the most equitable basis for our fee is to
determine how much time is spent on your matter. It is impossible
to determine in advance the amount of time that will be needed to
complete your case or the amount of fees and costs which you may
incur. In the case of litigation or domestic cases, this
frequently depends on the nature of the controversies and the
willingness of the parties to resolve their differences out of
court. Our billing is based on an hourly rate of $175.00 per hour
for Richard Friedman, Esquire, $125.00 per hour for John F. King,
Esquire, and $35.00 for any paralegal or legal assistant's work.
The hourly rates will be subject to increase subject to 30 days
notice to you. We will bill you monthly on a time-expended basis.
Although we do not send itemized bills as a matter of course, we do
PLAINTIFF'S
I EX~BIT
~
(
Tony Koukounas and Bill Katsifis
September 1, 1994
Page 2
provide a general explanation of the nature of the services
provided and the actual hours expended during each billing period.
We also maintain in our office recorda of time used for
conferences, telephone calls, drafting documents, research, court
time and, if necessary, travel time. These records will be
available to you upon request. Fraotions of hours are oomputed in
periods of not less than two-tenths '(2/10) of an hour for phone
calls and written communications. The interruption of other work
or phone calls is taken into consideration. In some instances we
find it more expedient to bill predetermined set fees for certain
services to be performed; i.e., uncontested divorce, incorporation
of business, etc. Charges for preparation of documents are
calculated on a time plus value basis. You will not be billed for
clerical or secretarial time. As is the case with most attorneys,
based on the complexity of the issues involved and based on the
results obtained, the final bill may be raised accordingly.
4. We expect you to keep current with our billings. We
reserve the right to terminate our attorney-client relationship for
non-payment of fees or costs. We expect our invoices to be paid in
full within the month in which they are received. You should
review your invoice promptly. If you fail to object to the charges
in the month within which the bill is sent, I will assume that the
bill is satisfactory,
5. We reserve the right to add a carrying charge of one and
one half percent (1 1/2%) per month (18% APR) for bills which are
not paid in full during the calendar month in which they are
received.
6. We will charge you for the time we spend on telephone
calls relating to your matter, including but not limited to calls
with you, with court personnel, with opposing counsel, with experts
or other witnesses, and with other individuals involved in or
material to your matter. The legal personnel assigned to your
matter will confer among themselves about the matter, as required.
When they do confer, usually only one will charge for the time
expended. However, if more than one of our legal personnel attends
a meeting, court hearing or other proceeding, each will charge for
the time spent. We will charge for waiting time in court and
elsewhere and for travel time, both local and out of town.
7. You are hiring us as your attorneys, to represent
Platanos, Inc. in its enforcement of the covenant not to compete
entered into with Mr. Vellios. We will provide those legal
services reasonably required to represent you. We will take
reasonable steps to keep you informed of progress and to respond to
(
I'
Tony ~oukounas and Bill ~ataifis
September 1, 1994
Page J
your inquiries, and will return your calls as promptlr as possible.
Unless we are out of town, most phone calls will be ether taken at
the time you call us, or returned the same day.
B. Unless we make a different agreement in writing, this
agreement will govern all future services we may perform for you.
9. You agree to be truthful with us, to cooperate, to keep us
informed of developments, to abide by this agreement, to pay our
bills on time, and to keep us advised of your address, telephone
number and whereabouts. Frequently, courts or other governmental
agencies will send documents directly to you, as a party to
litigation or as a principal in a business, and they will not send
copies to us, as your attorney of record. For this reason it is
very important that you forward to us any documents, papers, or
correspondence which have been sent directly to you from the court
or from any other source which may have any bearing on this matter.
10. We may incur various costs and expenses in performing
legal services under this agreement.. You agree to pay for those
costs and expenses in addition to the hourly fees. Upon request,
you agree to pay these costs in advance. The costs and expenses
commonly include process servers' fees, fees fixed by law or
assessed by courts and other agencies (so-called "filing fees"),
court reporters' fees, messenger, overnight delivery and other
delivery fees, sheriff's fees, parking and other local travel
expenses, photocopying charges if they become excessive and must be
performed out of the office, computer research, and other similar
items. For out of town travel, you agree to pay transportation,
meals, lodging and all other costs of any necessary out-of-town
travel by personnel. You will also be charged the hourly rates for
the time legal personnel spend travelling. To aid in the
preparation or presentation of your case, it may become necesAary
to hire doctors or other expert witnesses. We will not hire such
personnel unless you agree to pay their fees and charges. We will
select any expert witnesses to be hired.
11. As previously stated, all fees must be paid on a current
basis. Should there be outstanding fees ~t the conclusion of your
matter, they must be paid when the case is concluded.
Additionally, I may require that you execute a judgment note or
lien upon property or the proceeds of equitable distribution in my
favor to secure payment of fees and costs. I also reserve the
( (
Tony Roukounas and Bill Ratsitis
september 1, 1994
Page 4
right to retain all funds which I receive on your behalf, trom any
source, to guarantee payment of tees and costs.
12. You may discharge us at any time. We may withdraw with
your consent or for good cause. Good cause includes your breach of
this agreement, your refusal to cooperate with us or to tollow our
advice on a material matter, or any fact or circumstance that would
render our continuing representation unlawful or unethical. When
our services conclude, all unpaid charges will immediately become
due and payable. After our services conclude, we will, upon your
request, deliver your file to you or your representative, along
with any funds or property of yours in our possession.
13. Nothing in this agreement and nothing in our statements
to you will be construed as a promise or guarantee about the
outcome of your matter. We make no such promises or guarantees.
Our comments about the outcome of yo~r matter are expressions of
opinion only.
14. our office manager and secretaries are usually conversant
with the status of your file but are not permitted nor are they
qualified to give any opinions or to advise clients on any legal
matters,
15. Please countersign this Agreement and return it to us in
the enclosed envelope, so that we will have a mutual memorandum of
our understanding.
RSF/bp:Fees\Platanos.fee
I yours
Enclosures
.
9/2/94 - Telephone call from client, revisions of Petition,
filing of Petition, 1.0
9/5/94 - Two telephone calls to Judge Bayley's secretary,
meeting with Richard Friedman, dictation of
Complaint, revision of Petition, telephone
call to client. 2.0
9/12/94 - Telephone call to Prothonotary reI subpoenas,
memo to file. .4
9/12/94 - Meeting with client, preparation of subpoenas,
initial preparation for Hearing. 1.5
9/13/94 - Preparation of third subpoena, review and revision
of preparation notes for Hearing, .6
9/14/94 - Telephone call to client, revision of notes
in preparation for Hearing reI 4th Subpoena,
general preparation for hearing. 2.0
9/15/94 - Attendance at Hearing.
3.5
15.5 hours @ $125,00 per hour
$1,875.00
SERVICES RENDERED BY MEREDITH A. MCNICHOL, PARALEGAL
9/5/94 - Trip to Windsor Family Restaurant reI
signing of verifications, filing of
Petition in Cumberland County.
3.0 hours @ $35.00 per hour
105.00
Costs Advanced I
Cumberland County Prothonotary
(Platanos v. Vellios)
Cumberland County Sheriff
(Platanos v, Vellios)
priority One Attorney's Messenger Service,
(Service of Subpoenas, Complaint, and
Hearing Order)
Witness Fee - Stavros Kouras
45.50
100,00
Witness Fee - Greg Carrera
310.00
10.60
5.70
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4. As a term of the aforementioned Installment Sales
AgreeMent executed by the Defendant on April 28, 1993, the
Defendant did promise and covenant not to enter into competition
with Platanos, Inc., or engage in the same or similar type of
business as the Windsor Family Restaurant, either as an
individual or in any other businesG form, directly or indireotly,
whether as a principal, agent, employee or straw party, within a
ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant for a
period of three (3) years from the date of the contract, which
was April 28, 1993. A copy of this promise and covenant,
executed by the Defendant, is attached in the aforementioned
Exhibit "A".
5, The Installment Sales Agreement executed by the
Defendant defines incidents of default to include, "Breach of the
covenant not to compete by Vellios", and said agreement requires,
in the event of default, that the party breaching the contract
shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and costs incurred
in enforcing rights under the agreement. The sections entitled
"-.,
Incidents of Default and Breach are included in the Installment
Sales Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
6, It is believed, and therefore averred, that
Defendant Vellios, contrary to the abbve-referenced promise and
covenant, not to compete, is actively involved, both directly and
indirectly, with the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.,
and is actively involved, both directly and indirectly, with
activities being undertaken by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc. to open a restaurant on Route 15 in Dillsburg, York
County, Pennsylvania, said site being approximately seven and
seven tenths (7.7) miles from the aforementioned Windsor Family
Restaurant, and is performing services for the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. as follows!
A. Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
kitchen facility;
B. Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
dining room facility;
C.
Hiring of kitchen staff;
~
D. Solicitation o~ customers; and
E. Generally assisting in the organization and
institution of a competing business, that
being the restaurant being prepared to be
open by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc.
7. It is also believed, an? therefore averred, that
the Defendant has indicated that he will be acting as a chef/cook
at the restaurant which is being planned to be opened by the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
8. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant's wife and his wife's family members are the principals
in Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., and that Defendant
Vellios in integrally connected with the ongoing concerns of the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
9. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant will continue to solicit business from customers of the
Plaintiff to the detriment of the Plaintiff, and will continue to
act both directly and indirectly in competition with the
Plaintiff, contrary to the Defendant's promise and covenant not
to compete.
10. The Plaintiff faces immediate and irreparable
injury due to the Defendant's actions and competition with the
Plaintiff, said actions being contrary to, and in violation of,
the promise and covenant not to compete executed by the
Defendant.
11. The Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff respectfully requests that
this Honorable Court:
A. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to
immediately cease and desist any and all activity, either direct
or indirect, relating to the planning, institution and operation
of the restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc..
B. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to cease
acting either directly or indirectly as a principal, agent,
employee or straw party of the aforementioned Flamingo Restaurant
and Coffee Shop, Inc., as those actions might relate to the
opening of a restaurant within a ten (10) mile radius of the
Windsor Family Restaurant.
C. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to cease
being physically present at the site of the aforementioned
restaurant which is being prepared by Flamingo Restaurant and
Coffee Shop, Inc. for operation on Route 15 in Dillsburg, .for any
I
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...,........;1....
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ENTERED INTO, Thls-26th day of AprlI,l993
BETWEEN ATHANASIOS VELLlOS ,ofl750 AshlllOd Drive, York, Pennsylvania 17404
here1nllfter known as VeUlos,
~ND
BUL KATSIFIS, of SUver Spring Township, CumberlMd County, Pennsylvania,
herelnaf'ter known as Katslfis,
AND
, TONY KOUKOUNAS, of Mcclullllcsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
herelnaf'ter known as Koulrounas. Koukounas joins In the within agreement to evidence his assent
to the warranties and guaranties lIl3de by him herein;
WITNESSETII: That the Sllid Vellios, In consideration of the tenns and conditions
hereinaf'ter mentioned and conlllined, agrees to tronSfer and deliver unto the Sllid Katsifis, his heirs
and assigns,
Two Hundred Fifty (250) shares of common stock In Pllltanos, Inc" which said shares of
Slock represent the entire remaining Intr.rest of Vellios In Pllltanos, Inc., and which said shares
constitute a one-half (112) intereSt in Pllltanos, Inc, Vellios agrees to execute ail necessary
documents contemporaneously with the signing of this document to effect the Immediate transfer
of Sllid shares to KBtsifis.
IN CONSmERA TION WllEREOF, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Purchase once. Katsifis agrees to pay to Vellios therefor, the sum of$1SO,OOO.OO Dollars,
as follows:
(1) $55,000,00 dollars upon the execution of this Agreement of Sale, the receipt whereof is
hereby acknowledged by Vellios, and which Sllid $55,000.00 is more SDCclfLCl!IlY p,ald as follows:
L $10,000.00 which is held In escrow by OIarles Eo Shlelds, m. Bsquire. attorney
for Velllos and which is agreed by the parties hereto to be released to Vellios contemporaneously
with the signing of this Agreement.
b. $40,050.00 to be paid by certified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
PllllaJ1os, Inc. as a loan to the corporation. It Is the understanding of the parties hereto that
contemporaneously with this agreement Pllltanos, Inc. will make payment to Vellios of $40,050.00,
which figure represents full payment of the debt owed by PllllaJ1os, Inc. to Vellios.
c. $4,950.00 to be paid by certified or cashiers check made payable to the order of .
Athanaslos Vellios.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
,-1 V
AUTHENTICATED BY
Katslfis:
fJ./e ,
AUTHENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
I
1F-
pellverv or shores. Upon complianee with the foregoing tenns and conditions 8Ild
payment of the 5lI1d purchase price in full by Ka15lflS, VeUlos shllll promptly deliver to KalSlfis the
2.50 shares of stock In PlalJUlos, Inc, whlch Is pledged as security for performance by KalSlfis of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and VeUll)s shall promptly sign 0. genero1 release in
favor of KalSlfls and Koukounas,
perolllt. In the event the said Katslfis shall fal1.to make llOy monthly payment for a period
of thirty (30) days after the same shllll have become due: and parable by the tenns hereof, or If a
breach of any of the foregoing conditions be made by Kntslfis, then IlOd In such case this
Agreement shall, lit the option of Vellios, become nullllOd void and the said KalSlfis shall forfeltllll
monies then pald as liquidated damages. In the alternative, Vellios may elect to have the entire
prlnclpa1sUIn mnaInlng_ unpaid become due ond payable at once ond may be collect the same by
suit or otherwise, ProvIded, however, that that no such default shall oocur unless Vellios has given
KalSlfis and ony other shareholders of Plat.o.nos, Inc, at least thirty (30) days written notice of such
violation of the tenn.~ hereof, Katslfi~t ~ ony other shareholder of Platanos, Inc. shllll have the
right \Q correct such default dwing said uuny-day period, provided, however, that said curing party
give at least flftocn (15) days written notice of Intent to cure said default. If a shareholder elects to
cure the default of Katslfis, said shareholder shall
0.. Completely cure the default ofKalSlfls
b. Execute on agreement assuming Illl of the terms of this Agreement.
c. Execute a stock pledge agreement In same fonn as the Stock Pledge Agreement
executed by KalSlflS pursuontto this Agreement.
If said shareholder elects to remedy the default and assume the obligations of Katslfis,
Vellios and Katslfis will fully cooperate In the assignment of Katslfis's shares of PlalaJ10s Inc.,
subject to the Stock Pledge agreement, to the assuming shareholder.
NonWDlv~r or rll'hl~. Acceptance by VeIlIos of any of the aforesaid monthly payments
after the same shall have become past due ond In default, or any fallure to enforce any of the rights
herein reserved to the panies of the first part, or any of the penalties, forfeitures, damages or
conditions herein conlalJled, shall not in any wise be considered a waiver of the right to enforce
the same D1 any time and any attempt to collect the amoun:,=-~~ one proceeding shall not be
considered a wiUver of the right to Institute ony of the other gs herein provided, but all of
the rights of Vellios, and all forfeitures, penalties, damages and conditions may be enforced
together or successively at the option of VeIlIos.
Covenont not to comocle. Vellios agrees that he will not, either as an individual or in any
other business form, directll or indirectly, enter into competition with P1atanos, Ine. or en,:age in
the same or s\mllar type 0 baseness as the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as I pnnclpal,
agent, employoc, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant,
located at the comer of Trlndie and Wl/Idsor Road for a period of three years from the date of this
Contract.
}VArrnnrles And Indemntncatlons:
Worrnntv relmrdinl.' t~xes. Vellios hereby warrants that all taxes owed by
PlalaJ1os, Inc., including real estate, income, IlOd corporate taxes and unemployment
compensation contribution for prior years have been paid, excepting those set forth on
Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein. Vellios agrees to indemnify and
defend KalSifis for his share of any tax deficiencies owed or alleged to be owed by
AtmlENTICATEDDY AU1lffiNTICATEDBY AUTIlENTICATEDBY
Vellios: KalSifis: Koukounas:
If V ~.IL:, 1'. ~
3
..
Platanos, Inc. for 1992 and prior years. VeUlos warrants that all said taxes IlOd
assessments due In connectlon with the operation of Plalllnos, Ine, and the Windsor
FlII11ily Restaurant to any clty, county, slllte, or federal govcnunental agencles, shBl1 be
paid In full up to the date of senlementllOd that all due returns, fOnDS, and taxes required
to be filed with said agencles have been properly filed BIId paid as of the settlement date,
or will be 50 filed and paid In due course thereafter.
Warrant\! re!1ardlnl! assets and liabilities or Corooratlon. Velllos hereby
wo.rronts that the assets and llabWtles are lIS set forth on Exhibit "An attached hereto
and Incorporated herein by reference, Vel1los shBl1lndemnlCy KalSifis for KalSifis's
share of the corporate obligation for any debts not disclosed to Katsifis on Exhibit
"An.
,Warranty or conformity with GoY(!rnm~nt r~m.I'ntlons. VeUios warrants
lhat he [S Dot aware of any governmental notices concerning any violatloDS of any
Federal, SIale or loco1law, rule or regu1atlon, nor of any work required to be performed
or any asSCSSJDellt for any thing whlllSOCver, including, but Dot Umlted to, sidewalk,
street, water and sewC'l', and other such Improvements. Vellios warrants lhat lhe existing
utilltles are suflicieDt to servioc lhe ~ and its current operations. Vellios warrants
that the existing use of the premises is a pennlttcd use uDder all applicable :r.oning
ordinances, or that a certificate of non-c:onformanee from the approprl.atc zoning
officials sholl be provided OD or before settlement
:Warrant\! of comollance with Lease obllfatlons. Vellios warrants that lhe
Lease Agreement attaChed hereto as Exhibit "B" is the current agreement between
Plalllnos, Ine. and Web Madcets and that there have been no modifications, written or
oral, of the tc:m1S lhereof. Vellios further warrants that he is unaware of any uncured
vlOlatlODS of any of the leI1llS of said lease and that he has received no notice of default
In the tc:nnS of lhe lease. Katslfis acknowledges lhat $aid Lease c:onlalns a personal
gumntee by Vellios and Nicholas Barakos, a former shareholder. Katsitis and
Koukounas each covenants that he will make oIl reasonable cfforlS to remove Velllos's
guarantee from future lease agreements. Undl such time as Velllos is DO longer a
guarantor of the lease obligation with Weis Marlcets, Katslfis and Koukounas will
Indemnify, defend and hold VeUios harmless from any liability arising from said
personal guarantee. FUrther, for as long this Agreement is In effect, Katslfis and
Koukounas agree that lhey wUl cause Platanos, Inc. to deliver by bank-to-bank wire
ttaDSfer, the monthly rental payments to Weis Markets and wUl provide VeUios with
eoplcs of the bank receipt evidencing said tranSfer.
}Varrnntv of Insurance. Katsifis and KouIcounas bolh warrant that they have
made application for and the corporation wUl pay for business 1ntcmlption Insurance,
the tenDS of which an: IS set fonh on ExhIbit "0", auached hereto and Incorporated
herein by reference. Katslfis and Koukounas warrant that they will cause Platanos, Inc.
to keep $aid Insurance In Cull foree and effect and shall forWam copies of the renewal
declarations to VeUios for the UCe of this Agreement and Guarantee.
AUlHEN11CATED BY
Velllos:
AU1HENTlCA TED BY
Katslfis:
AUlHENTICATEO BY
Koukounas:
111/
G.~,
~.r::
4
..
JVlntcrlnlllv or Wnrrnntl~. TIlis Agreement is expressly contingent upon thc
WlllTl1llties of Vellios being trUC and corroct at thc scttlement date. Any express
coatingcncy In this Agreement ulllY be wn\Ved in writing by the party to be benefited by
thc contingency at the time of settlcmenL In thc event thatllOY such contingency fails
this Agreement shall be null IlOd void and nIl deposit monies shall be returned to
Ko15lflS without deduction and without further UabUity hereunder on the pan of cither
party hereto. All warranties In this Agreement, not expressly wnived shall n1so be
considered covenants of this Agreement IlOd any failure of any warranty shnIl be
considered a default In thc telll1$ of the agreement by the breaching party and shnIl
entitle the nonbl\\llChlng parties to nIl the rights IlOd respollSibUitie$ on default as sct
fonh In this AgreemenL Provided. however, that thc breaching party shall be entitled to
cure the fallure of any WlllTI1lIty within thirty (30) days from thc date he receives written
notice of the failure of any warranty given by him.
Coroomte Rt'Cords. Koukounas and Kolliifis agree that, as omeen, directon and
slweholders of PlatanOS, Inc., they shnll authorize thc person or penons responsible for the
keeping of the books, accounts, and records to II1Ilke avnllablc to Vellios on a monthly basis a
sllltement of the income and expenses of PlatanOS, Inc. In a fonn substantially the same as the
monthly reports now prepared for PlatanOS, mc, by Gift Sniegocki & AssociateS, the most recent
monthly report being attached hereto as Exhibit "C".
- -
Incidents or Dernult. Default shall be deCmed as a breach of any of the terms of this
Agreement, including:
a. Pallure of Kotslfis to make any payment as aforesnid.
b. Breach of any ofthc above-stated warranties.
c, Entry Into bonlauptcy under any chapter of thc Bankruptcy Code.
d. Breach of the terms of the lease hy Platanos, Inc.
e, A permanent cesaation of business known as the Wmdsor Family RestauranL
f. Pallure of PlalaJ1os. Inc. to pay all taXes when due, unless there is a good falth
dispute concerning said taXes.
g, Breach of the covenant not to compete by Vellios.
Jlrcach. In the event of default under the terms of this AFlUCnt, the party breaching this
contract shall be re,sponslble for payment of legal fees and costs mcurred by the other in enfoiclng ,
their rights under this AgreemenL Should Kotsifis breach the terms of this Agreement and should
said breach not be cured as provided In this Agreement, Vellios shall have the right to declare this
Agreement null and void and to retain nIl payments received as liquidated damages. Vellios shall
further have the option to re-enter and opctate the Windsor Family Restaurant as owner pursuant
to the Stock Pledgc Agreements, or, in thc alternative, he shill have thc option 10 accelerate IS due
and Immediately payable, the entire unpaid principal amount as evidenced by the Demand Notes
executed by Katsifis and Koukounas and to collect thereon. Nothing herein contained shall
restrict any rights he may have to go agalllSt Tony Koukounas et /lX., upon any guarantee or surety
or other agrocmenL '
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
!tV
AUTIIENTICA TED BY
Katsifis:
f!> .{.c..
AUlHENTICA lED BY
Koukounas:
-rf:-
5
Modln~ollon. No modification of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, unlC3S
the SIl1DC shall be In wriling and duly approved by both of the parties hereto.
~, NmtosslKnobllllv. The IntcmSt of Katslfis In this Agreement shall not be DSslgnable, In
whole orIn .Part, without the prior written consent and approvlll of Vellios, and U'such BSslgnment
Is attempted, all rights and remedies of Vellios set forth herein or which Vellios may otherwise
have' sliAlllmmcdfstely lCICIlIe to Ve\llos. Transfer of title by W1II, survivorship, descent or by
eIectlon of a shardtolder to cure the default of KBlSIfis shall not be regarded as an BSslgnment
requiring the consent and approval of Vellios,
SUl,"Ylvol or Aareement. 'IbIs Agreement Is to extend to and be binding upon the heirs,
suc:c:cssora, cxec:uton, admIniSlr8tors, and assigns of the partles hereto.
Document Comnlllln~. ''lbc undersigned partles for and In consideration of the tenns of
thli Agreement, U' requested by any Oth~:n>' or the auomey of any other party , to fully
cooperate and adjust for c:1erlca1 errors, or slons, In any or all of the Closing dOcumentation If
deeined Dec:e5Slll}' or deslrablc In the reasonable d\s(:redOD of any party or their attorney, to fully
consummate said A~nt. The undersigned partles do hereby 10 agree and covenant in order
to assure that this documentation executed ihIs date will conConn and be acceptable and complelC
to the standard practices iDd requirements. '
INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, WITNESS OUR HANDS AND SEALS,
on this page 6 of 6 pages, the day and year first above written.
,
I
I'
~:~
wE. -:or
~4'/8..~~
~~h.L E JLaJ'JjL
.,
lh''1a.l4oaA /~ l/~at(SEAL)
Athanaslos Vellios
13 ~ ~~ (SEAL)
BUlKa 15' .
(SEAL)
To yKo '
AtrrHEN'J1CATED BY
Vellios:
Av
AU1HBN11CATED BY
KalSlfis: (3 .I,.,
6
AtrIHEN'I1CATED BY
Koukounas:
-( ~.
"\
v.
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. (Ill- !JON) ClU,;'I 7iOr1
:
: CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
:
PLATANOS, INC.,
Plaintiff
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS,
Defendant
ORDER
AND NOW, this
day of September, 1994, upon consideration
of the within Petition for Preliminary Injunction Without Hearing
and for Hearing for Permanent Injunction, it is hereby ORDERED
AND DECREED as follows:
A. The Preliminary Injunction is issued, without Hearing,
requiring the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to immediately cease
and desist any and all activity, either direct or indirect,
relating to the planning, institution and operation of the
restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
B'. The Preliminary Injunction is issued, without Hearing,
prohibiting the Defendant from acting either directly or
indirectly as a principal, agent, employee or straw party of the
aforementioned Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., as
those actions might relate to the opening of a restaurant within
a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant.
C. The Preliminary Injunction is issued, without Hearing,
prohibiting the Defendant trom being physically present at the
site of the aforementioned restaurant which is being prepared by
PLATANOS, INC.,
Plaintiff
v.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I NO.
I
I CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS,
Defendant
PBTITION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION WITHOUT HEARING
AND FOR HEARING FOR PERMANBNT INJUNCTION
AND NOW comes the Plaintiff, Platanos, Inc., by and
through its attorneys, Friedman and Friedman, P.C., and
respectfully moves this court, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1531, for a
Preliminary Injunction without a hearing against the Defendant,
Athanasios Vellios, and also for a hearing thereon to permanently
enjoin said Defendant from any and all actions in competition
with the Plaintiff, Platanos, Inc., and in support thereof avers
as follows:
1, The Plaintiff is Platanos, Inc., a duly registered
corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is the owner
and operator of the Windsor Family Restaurant, located at 5144
Simpson Ferry Rd., Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
17055.
2. The Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, hereinafter
"Vellios", is an adult individual with an address of 1750 Ashland
Drive, York, York County, Pennsylvania 17404.
3. This Honorable Court has authority to issue a
Preliminary Injunction without a hearing in this matter, pursuant
to Pa. R.C.P. 1531(a).
4. On April 28, 1993, tho Defendant Vellios, who at
that time was the owner of fifty (50') percent of the issued and
outstanding shares of Platanos, Inc., entered into an Installment
Sales Agreement for the sale thereof to Bill Katsifis and Tony
Koukounas, as a result of which Katsifis and Koukounas are
present sole owners of Platanos, Inc. A copy of said Inst3l1ment
Sales Agreement is attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A", and
incorporated herein by reference.
5. As a term of the aforementioned Installment Sales
Agreement executed by the Defendant on April 28, 1993, the
Defendant did promise and covenant not to enter into competition
with Platanos, Inc" or engage in the same or similar type of
business as the Windsor Family Restaurant, either as an
individual or in any other business form, directly or indirectly,
whether as a principal, agent, employee or straw party, within a
ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant for a
period of three (3) years from the date of the contract, which
was April 28, 1993. A copy of this promise and covenant,
executed by the Defendant, is attached in the aforementioned
Exhibit "A".
6. The Installment Sales Agreement executed by the
Defendant defines incidents of default to include, "Breach of the
covenant not to compete by Vellios", and said agreement requires,
in the event of default, that the party breaching the contract
shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and costs incurred
in enforcing rights under the agreement. The sections entitled
Incidents of Default and Breach are ircluded in the Installment
Sales Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
7. It is believed, and therefore averred, that
Defendant Vellios, contrary to the above-referenced promise and
covenant not to compete, is actively involved, both directly and
. indirectly, with the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.,
and is actively involved, both directly and indirectly, with
activities being undertaken by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc. to open a restaurant on Route 15 in Dillsburg, York
County, Pennsylvania, said site being approximately seven and
seven tenths (7.7) miles from the aforementioned Windsor Family
Restaurant, and is performing services for the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. as follows:
B.
Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
kitchen facility;
Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
dining room facility;
Hiring of kitchen staff;
Solicitation of customers; and
A.
C.
D.
E. Generally assisting in the organization and
institution of a competing business, that
being the restaurant being prepared to be
open by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc.
a. It is also believed, and therefore averred, that
the Defendant has indicated that he will be acting as a chef/cook
at the restaurant which is being planned to be opened by the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
9. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant's wife and his wife's family members are the principals
in Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., and that Defendant
Vellios in integrally connected with the ongoing concerns of the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
10. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant will continue to solicit business from customers of the
Plaintiff to the detriment of the Plaintiff, and will continue to
act both directly and indirectly in competition with the
Plaintiff, contrary to the Defendant's promise and covenant not
to compete.
11. The Plaintiff faces immediate and irreparable
injury due to the Defendant's actions and competition with the
plaintiff, said actions being contrary to, and in violation of,
the promise and covenant not to compete executed by the
Defendant.
12. The Plaintiff has no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff respectfully requests that
this Honorable Court:
A. Issue a Preliminary Injunction without Hearing
requiring the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to immediately cease
and desist any and all activity, either direct or indirect,
relating to the planning, institution and operation of the
restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., and, after hearing, issue a
Permanent Injunction to said effect until the natural termination
ot the promise and covenant not to compete, said date being April
28, 1996.
B. Issue a Preliminary Injunction without Hearing
prohibiting the Defendant from acting either directly or
indirectly as a principal, agent, employee or straw party of the
aforementioned Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., as
those actions might relate to the opening of a restaurant within
a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor. Family Restaurant, and,
after hearing, issue a Permanent Injunction to said effect until
the natural termination of the promise and covenant not to
compete, said date being April 28, 1996.
C. Issue a Preliminary Injunction without Hearing
prohibiting the Defendant from being physically present at the
site of the aforementioned restaurant which is being prepared by
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. for operation on Route
15 in Dillsburg, for any of the purposes or activities for which
he has otherwise been enjoined from undertaking, and, after
hearing, issue a Permanent Injunction to said effect until the
natural termination of the promise and covenant not to compete,
said date being April 28, 1996.
D. Issue a Preliminary Injunction without Hearing
prohibiting the Defendant from soliciting customers of the
Windsor Family Restaurant on behalf of Flamingo Restaurant and
Coffee Shop, Inc., and their operation at the Route 15,
Dillsburg, facility, and, after hearing, issue a Permanent
Injunction to said effect until the natural termination of the
,
promise and covenant not to compete, said date beinq April 28,
1996.
E, Upon hearing for Permanent Injunction in this
matter, qrant the Plaintiff such other relief as this Court may
deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees,
as allowed for in the Installment Sales Agreement executed by the
Defendant and the principals of Platanos, Inc., and costs.
Respectfully submitted,
Datel~JYt\.l~^
L. t"l cl'-f.
I
P.C.
17108
kIp ~ Pleadings\Platanos.Inj
.
,
,...................
~lI':l8 . l1.k
ENTERED INTO, Thl.s~h day of April, 1993
BETWEEN ATHANASIOS VELLlOS ,of 1750 AshlllOd Drive, York, Pennsy1vllOia 17404
hereln.llfter known as VeUios,
~ND
BIlL KATSIFIS, of SUver Spring Townshlp, CumberlllOd County, Pennsylvania,
hereinafter known as KotsUis,
AND
, TONY KOUKOUNAS, of Mechnnicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
hereinafter known as Koukounas. Koukounas joins in the within agreement to evidence his assent
to the warranties and guaranties made by him hen:ln:
WITNESSETH: That the said Velllos, in consideration of the tcm1S and conditions
hereinafter mentioned IIDd contained, agrees to u-ansfer IlOd deliver unto the said Kotsifi." his heirs
and assigns,
Two Hundred fUty (250) shares of common stock In PlatanoS, Inc., which said shares of
stock represent the entire remaining Interest of Velllos in PlatanoS, Inc., and which said shares
constitute a one-half (112) intereSt ill Platanos, Inc. Vellos agrees to execute all necessary
documents contemporaneously with the signing of this document to effect the immediate transfer
of said shares to Katsifis.
IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the panies hereto agree as follows:
Purchase once. KotsUis agrteS to pay to Velllos therefor, the sum of $150,000.00 Dollars,
as follows:
(1) $55,000.00 dollars upon the execution of this Agreement of Sale, the receipt whereof is
hereby acknowledged byVelllos, and which said $55,000.00 is more 51ICCif'lCalJy p,aid as follows:
L $10,000.00 which is held in escrow by OIarles E. Shields, Ill, Esquire, attorney
for Velllos and which is agreed by the parties hereto to be released to Velllos contemporaneously
with the signing of this Agreement.
b. $40,050.00 to be paid by certified or cashlers check made payable to the order of
Platanos, Inc. as a loan to the corporation. It is the understanding of the parties hereto that
contemporaneously with this agreement PlatanoS, Inc. will make payment to Velllos of $40,050.00,
whlch figure represents full payment of the debt owed by PlatanOS, Inc. to Velllos.
c. $4,950.00 to be paid by certified or cashlers check made payable to the order of .
Athanasios Velllos.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Velllos:
~V
AUlHENTICA TED BY
Katsifis:
AU11IENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
1
1f--
Ole.
pellverv of shores. Upon compUance with the foregoing terms IlOd conditions IlOd
payment of the S4ld purchase price In full by Katslfis, VeUlos shall promptly deUver to KalSitis the
250 shares of stock In PlalaRos, Inc, which Is pledged 115 security for penOIDlllOee by KlItsitis of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, IlOd VeUlos shll11 promptly sign a general release In
favor of Katslfis IlOd Koukounas.
Default. In the event the said KlIlSlfls shall fall.to make any monthly payment for a period
of thlny (30) days after the 5IlIDe shall huve becorae due IlOd payable by the tenns hereof, or If' a
breach of any of the foregoing conditions be made by KalSlfis, then and In such case this
Agreement shall, at the ~S:~~f Velllos, become nullllOd vold and the said Katslfis shall fonelt all
monies then paid as Uq damages. In the alternative, VeUlos may elect to have the entire
principal sum remalnlng unpald become due and payable at onee and may be collect the same by
suit or otherwise. ProvIded, however, that that no such default shall occur unless VeIlios has given
Katslfis and any other shareholders of PlalllnOS, Ine, at least thlny (30) days written notiee of such
violation of the terms hereof. Kalslfis, or any other shareholder of PlalaJ105, Inc. shall have the
right to correct such default during said thlny-day period, provided. however, that said curing party
give at least fifteen (IS) days written notlee of Intent to CUIe said default. If a shareholder elects to
cure the default of Katslfis, said shareholder shall
,
a. Completely cure the default of KlIlSitis
b. Execute an agreement assuming all of the terms of this Agreement.
c. Execute a stock pledge agreement In same fonn as the Stock Pledge Agreement
executed by Katslfts p\D'Suant to this Agreement.
If said shareholder elects to remedy the default and assume the obligations of Katslfis,
Vellios and KalSlfis will fully cooperate In the assignment of Katslfis's shares of Plalllnos Inc.,
subject to the Stock Pledge agreement, to the assuming shareholder.
Nonwaiver of rl~hls. Aceeplllnee by VeUlos of any of the aforesaid monthly paymenlS
after the same shll11 have become past due and In default, or any failure to enforce any of the rights
herein reserved to the parties of the first part, or any of the penalties, forfeilUICS, damages or
conditions herein contained. shall not In any wise be considered a waiver of the right to enforce
the same at any time and any attempt to collect the amoun:,~~ one ~g shall not be
considered a waiver of the rlghs to Institute any of the other gs herein provided, but all of
the rights of Vellio5, and all forfeitures, penalties, damages and conditions may be enforced
together or successively at the option ofVe1llos.
Covenant not to comoete. Vellios agrees that he will not, either as an individual or In any
other business form, directly or Indirectly, enter Into competition with Platanos, Inc. or en~age in
the same or similar type of baseness as the Windsor Pai:nlly Restaurant whether as a principal,
agent, employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Pamlly Restaurant,
located at the corner of Trindle and Wmdsor Road for a period of three years from the date of this
Contract.
WRrrnntt~ Rnd Indemntncations:
}Varrnntv re~ardin~ lax~. Vellios hereby warrants that all taxes owed by
Plalllnos, Inc., Including real estate, Income, IlOd corporate taxes and unemployment
comp,c:nsation connibution for prior years have been paid, exeepting those set fonh on
Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated herein. Vellios agrees to Indemnify and
defend KalSifis for his share of any tax deficiencies owed or alleged to be owed by
AlT1'HENTICATEDBY AU1HENTICATEDBY AU1llENTICATEDBY
Vellios: KlIlSifis: Koukounas:o
(j3 1.(,
Ifv
~~
3
PIlllllnos. Inc. for 1992 and prior years, Vell10s WllITlUltS that 011 said taxes and
assessments due in connection with the openlllon of PIIllaJ10s, Inc. IlOd the Windsor
FamUy Reslllurant to any city. county, SllllC, or federnl govemmentnl agencies, sholl be
pald lit full up to the date of settlementllOd that all due returns, fonus, IlOd lOXes required
to be filed with said agencies have been properly filed IlOd pDld as of the settlement dote,
or will be 50 filed and pald in due course thereafter.
Warrnntv rellArdlnq Assets nnd liAbilities or CorDoratloll. Vell10s hereby
warrants that the assets DJ\d llabUities are as set forth on Exhibit" A" atlllched hereto
and incorporated herein by reference, VelUos shall indemnify Katsl.fis for Katsl.fis's
share of the corporate obligation for any debts nol disclosed 10 Katslfis on Exhibit
uAu. J
WArranty of conformIty with Government remJlAtlons. Velllos warrants
that he (S not aware of any govemmentnl notices concerning any violations of any
FcdemI. State or locallDw. rule or regulDtion, nor of any work required to be pcdormcd
or any assessment for any thing whDlSOCver, Including, but not Umlted 10, sidewa1k,
5\1'tJC1, water and l5CWer, and other such Improvements, Ve1llos wamnts that the existing
utllities are sufficient to service the pl'"ml...s and its cun'Cl1t ope:otions. Ve1llos wamnts
that the existing use of the premISes is a pennlttcd use ui1der oll applicable :ronlng
ordinances, or that a cenificate of noo-confonnanee from the appropriDte :ronlng
officI.aIs sholl be provided on or before seulemenL
Warranty of comDllnnce with Lease ob1iIlDtlons. Velllos wamnts that the
Lease Agreement atIllched hereto as Exhibit "Bn is the current agreement between
PlalaJ1os, Ine. and We1s Markets and that there have been no modifications, written or
omI, of the tams themlf. Ve1llos further wamnts that he is unaware of any uncured
violations of any of the termS of said lease and that he has recclvcd no notiee of default
In the terms of the lease. Katsl.fis acknowledges that said Lease contains a per5Oao1
guarantee by Ve1llos and Nicholas Barakos, a former shareholder. Katsl.fis and
Koukounas each covenants that he will make all reasonable efforts to ~'emove VelUos's
guarantee from future lease apeements. Until such time as Vellios is no longer a
guarantor of the lease obligalion with Weis Markets, KatsifIS and Koukounas will
Indemnify, defend and hold Vellios harmless from any liabUity arising from said
personal guarantee. Further, for as long this Agreement is in effect, Katsifis and
Koukounas agree that they will cause Platanos, Inc. to deliver by bank.to-bank wire
transfer. the monthly rental payments to Weis Markets and will provide Vellios with
copies of the bank receipt evidencing said transfer.
lY.llrrantv of Insurance. Katsl.fis tII1<I Koukounas both warrant that they havc
made application for and the corporation will pay for business Intcmlption insurance,
the terms of which are as set forth on Exhibit "0", attDChed hereto and Incorporated
herein by reference. Katsifis and Koukounas warrant that they will cause P1atanos, Inc.
to keep said insurance in full force and effect and shall forward copies of the renewo1
doclarations to Vellios for the life ofthls Agreement and Guarantee.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
,41/
AU1lIENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
AU1HENTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
(j.~,
~.~
4
lt1n!C!rlplltv or Wnrrnnlll!5. nlls Agrecment 15 expressly contingent upon the
womnties of Vellios being true and correct at the 5ettlement date. Any express
contingency In tlus Agrwnent may be wajved In writing by the pllrty to be benefited by
the contingency lit the time of settlement. In the event that llOy such contingency falls
this Agreement shall be null IlOd void IlOd all deposit monies shall be returned to
Katslfls wltllout deductionllOd without further liability hereunder on the pllrl of either
party hereto, All warranties In this Agreement, not expressly waived shall n1so be
considered covenllOts of this Agreement IlOd any failure of llOy warranty shall be
considered 11 default In the terms of the agreement by the breach1ng party IlOd shall
entitle the nonbreach1ng parties to all the rights and responsibilities on default lIS sct
forth In this Agreement. Provided. however, that the breach1ng party shall be entitled to
cure the fallure of any warranty within thirty (30) days from the date he receives written
notice of the failure of any warranty given by him.
Corooro!/! R~ords. KoukounllS and KalSlfis agree that, as officers, directors and
shareholders of PlatanOS, InC" they shall authoriz.e the person or persons responsible for the
keeping of the books, accounts, and records to IUIIkc aV1illable to VellIos on a monthly basis a
statement of the income and expenses of PlalOnos, Inc. In a form substantl.al1y the same lIS the
monthly reports now prepare4 for Plall1nOS, InC, by Gift Snlegocld & AssociateS, the most recent
monthly report being attached hereto as Exhibit "C".
- -
Inelden!s or DC!rault. Default shall be dermed as a breach of llOy of the terms of this
Agreement, including:
a. Failure of KalSlfis to make any payment as aforesaid.
b. Breach of any of the above-slllted warranties.
c. Entry Into bankruptcy under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code.
d. Breach of the terms of the lease by Platanos, Inc.
e. A permanent cessation of business known lIS the Wmdsor Family Restaurant.
f. Fallure of PlatanoS, Inc. to pay all taxes when due, unless there Is a good faith
dispute coneeming said taxes.
g. Breach of the eovenant not to compete by Vellios.
preach. In the event of default under the termS of this Agreement, the party breaching this
contract shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and costs inc:urred by the other in enfolclng ,
their rights under this Agreement. Should Katsifis breach the terms of this Agyeement and should
said breach not be cured as provided in this Agreement, Vellios shall have the right to declare this
Agreement null and void and to retain all payments received as liquidated damages. Vellios shall
further have the option to re-enter and operate the Windsor Family Restaurant as owner pursuant
to the Stock Pledge Agreements, or, In the alternative, he shall have the option to accelerate lIS due
and immediately payable, the entire unpaid principal amount as evidenced by the Demand Notes
executed by Katsifis and Koukounas and to collect thereon. Nothing herein contained shall
restrict any rights he may have to go against Tony Koukounas et !lX., upon any guarantee or surety
or other agreement.
AU1llENTICATED BY
Vellios:
ItV
AUTIIENTICA TED BY
KalSifis:
f!J}c.,
AU1HENTICA'reD BY
Koukounas:
-(~
5
Modlncatlon. No modificalion of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, unless
the Sllllle shall be in writing and duly approved by both of the parties hereto,
.' ~onasslenabllltv. The Interest of Katslfis in this Agreement shall not be assignable, In
whole or In J'1Irt, without the prior written consent and approval of Vellios, and if such assignment
is attempted, all rights and remedies of Vellios set forth herein or which Vellios may otherwise
have shall immediitcly oocrue to Vellios. Transfer of title by Will, survivorship, descent or by
elecdon of a shareholder to cure the default of Kntslfis shall not be regarded as an assignment
requiring the consent IlOd approval of Vellios.
Survival of Agreement. 11Us Agreement is to extend to and be binding upon the heirs,
successon, executon, adminlstmton, and assigns of the ponies hereto.
. Document ComDllance. The undersigned parties for and In consldemtlon of the terms of
thIS Agreement, if requested by any oth:,,~~ or the attorney of any other pony , to fully
cooperate and adjust for clerical errors, or sions, in any ar all of the closing documenllllion if
ckemcd necessary or desirable in the reasonable discredOD of any pony or their attorney, to fully
consummate said Agreement. The undersigned parties do hereby so agICC and covenant In order
to assure that this docul1lellllltioa executed this date will conform and be acceptable and complete
to the standard practices and requirements. '
INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, WITNESS OUR HANDS AND SEALS,
on this page 6 of 6 pages, the day and year first above written.
~~: , /~ 'A.
CI1I~f~':lIf:...
~# 8.,~~.J~
t%h.L E /Larlll
.
lH''Ja.'''1~/~ 1/~a!...(SEAL)
Athanasios Vellios
fjJ ~ ~~ (SEAL)
Bill KlilsiflS '
(SEAL)
Thy~ .
AU'IHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
.'Iv
AU'IHEN11CA1ED BY
Kotsifis: (3.1<,
AU'lHENnCATEDBY
Koukounas:
'"
-(. ~ .
6
PLATANOS, INC"
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA,
NO, 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION-EQUITY
v,
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS,
Defendant
RESPONSE TO PETITION
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Denied as a conclusion of law.
4. Admitted, except that Bill Katslfls was the sole purchaser of such
shares.
5. Denied. Said term of the Installment Sales Agreement speaks for itself.
6. Denied. Said term of the Installment Sales Agreement speaks for itself.
7. It is denied that Defendant is actively Involved, either directly or
indirectly, with the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. or with the
activities being undertaken, including all activities and services
characterized in subparagraphs A through E.
It is denied that the site is within seven and seven tenths (7.7)
miles from the Windsor Family Restaurant, and proof thereof is demanded.
8. Denied. Defendant does not Intend to act as chef or cook at the Flamingo
as is evidenced by communication of counsel dated August 31, 1994 and
received by Katsifis or his agents on September 1, 1994, fully five (5)
days before Katslfis caused the instant action to be filed. (See true and
correct copy of letter, receipt and return receipt attached hereto as
Exhibit A.)
9. Admitted, except that it is denied that Defendant is integrally
connected with said business, either as an owner thereof or otherwise. On
the contrary, Defendant has no intention of becoming so connected during
the term of the agreement.
10. Denied. Defendant has not solicited business from plaintiff's
customers and has no intention of doing so.
11. Denied. After reasonable investigation, the Defendant is without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the
averments of paragraph 11 and proof thereof Is demanded,
12. Denied as a conclusion of law,
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests your Honorable Court to
dismiss Plaintiff's petition and all of the relief requested therein.
NEW MA ITER
13, By way of further answer and defense, Defendant avers the following
new matter:
14, Plaintiff Is not a proper party to this proceeding. Said Intstallment
Sales Agreement Is between Defendant and Bill Katslfis with respect to
all matters alleged by Plaintiff.
1 S. Becauso Defendant's continued Interest In Plaintiff by reason of
Plaintiff's shares being held In escrow pursuant to said Installment Sales
Agreement, permitting Plaintiff to pursue this cause of action Is an
Improper use and depletion of corporate assets and funds, exposing
Defendant to real and potential loss.
16. Plaintiff (or Bill Katslfls) has breached said Installment Sales
Agreement by failure to pay Defendant the monthly Installments In a
timely fashion as required thereunder, has failed to provide Defendant
with copies of the bank receipts evidencing monthly rental payments to Weis
Markets as required thereunder, and has denied making available to
Defendant the monthly statement of Income and expenses of Plaintiff
since June 1, 1994, all of which amounts to "unclean hands" and Is the
basis for denying Plaintiff's various claims for relief.
17. Plaintiff has stated no basis upon which preliminary Injunctive relief
Is proper or can be granted In this case.
18. Plaintiff has no clear right to relief.
19. Plaintiff has a clear and adequate remedy in damages at law If In fact
its legal position is correct and any damage accrues to It.
20. Any preliminary Injunction granted by this court should be conditioned
upon the posting of a bond In an amount sufficient to reimburse Defendant
all damages sustained by reason of granting the Injunction, Including all
legally taxable costs and fees as hereinafter alleged. In no event, should
any funds of Plata nos, Inc. be used for such bond or any other purposes
connected therewith.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully prays this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Petition for Preliminary Injunction, or, alternatively, to issue its
.'..~ /'.,.
'II .
~"I, ..~q
\". ,........-
August 31, 1994
Mr. Bill Katsllls
Windsor Family Restaurant
5144 Simpson Ferry Road
Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
In Re:
Tom Velllos . Flamingo Restaurant
Dear Bill:
Please be advised that as of 10:30 A.M. Ihls morning I was advised by Rob Frey thai he Is
In Ihe process of terminating his representation of you. Therefore, I am writing to you directly.
I have had several conversations wilh Ellie Velllos this morning concerning the Flamingo
(formerly Chalet) Restaurant. She has assured me In the mosl deflnile terms of the following:
1 .) Tom Velllos Is not and will not be Involved In the Flamingo. He Is nol an owner of
any Interest. Only Effie, her uncle and her cousin are holders of any Interest.
2.) Tom will not be the chef or cook or be employed In any other capacily nor will he
work for free In any manner at the Flamingo.
3.) Effle's uncle. Jim Zahos. Is 56 years old and has plenty of experience In the
restaurant business and Is a good chef. Her cousin, Gus, has plenty of experience as a
cook and shorl order cook. ThllY have managed to survive on their own so far wilhout
Tom Velllos and Intend to continue 10 do so In the luture.
4. ) There Is no date set yet for opening the business. Therefore Ills obvious
anything you are hearing Is only speculation. In view of that, the assurances from
Effie which I am communicating to you at her direction and under her authority, should
serve to put an end to this mailer unless you discover that Tom Is. In fact, working atlhe
Flamingo, an event, In view of the assurances given, which I would regard as highly
unlikely.
5.) I have also been Instructed to notify you that your payment Is late. I hope this
will be paid promptiy and Is not a prelude to an effort to cause my client's aggravation
~l\le\1 . n"
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of Defendant's Response was served on
September 15, 1994, upon the person and In the manner Indicated below:
Service in person as follows:
John F. King, Esq.
Cumberland County Courthouse
Carlisle, PA 17013.
Dated: September 15, 1994.
~E~$
Charles E. Shields, III
Mellon Bank Bldg.
2 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 766-0209
Atty. I,D. No. 38513
"
"
,
~
v.
IN THE COURT OF CCltIMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
PLATANOS,INC"
Plaintiff
ATHANASIOS VELUOS,
Defendant,
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, ,1994, Preliminary Objections of the
Defendant In the above captioned case are held valid and this case Is dismissed.
By the Court,
P.J,
Charles E. Shields, III, Esquire
John B. Fowler. III, Esquire
Allorneys lor Delendant
John F. Kino. Esquire
Allorney lor Plalntlfl
'.
v.
IN THE COURT OF CXWMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 94-5000 EaUITY TERM
CIVIL. ACTION. EaUITY
PLATANOS, INC.,
Plalntlll
ATHANASIOS VELUOS,
Defendant
eREUMINARV OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANT TO
PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT
Defendant makes the following preliminary objections to Plalntlff's complaint.
DEMURRER
1 . Plalntlll's complaint falls to state a cause of action In that all alleged actions are
either not a breach of the oovenant not to compete or are of such a d.e. minimis nature as to be
trilling and beyond any reasonable need to require prevention.
2. The oomplalnt also falls to state a cause of action In that Plaintiff Is not a party to the
underlying oontract for which remedy Is sought.
MOTION TO STRIKE
3. Plain till's complaint falls to join an Indispensable party, vlz. BILL KATSIFIS who Is
the other named party to the contract with the Defendant which contains the covenant not to
oompete.
WHEREFORE, Defendant prays that the complaint be dismissed.
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
q ,...)j~qr
__~~f~~~~
Charles E. Shields, III
Mellon Bank Building
2 West Main Street
Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
(717) 766-0209
Any. 1.0.' 38513
, .. .',. . " ",."... .. ... ~.".... .,..' . .
'" '...'.'''' ....,........,.....,........,.. 'Il. ...,.....,.
SHERIFF'S RETURN
COMMONWgALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Cumberland County, Pennsylvnaia
No. 94-5000 Equity Term
Complaint in Equity and
Notice
Plantanos, Inc.
VS
Athanasios Vellios
R. THOMAS KLINE, Sheriff, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, that he made diligent search and inquiry for the within named
,
defendant, to witl AthBnasios Vellios
but was unable to locate
him
in his bailiwick. He therefore
depu~ized the sheriff of
York
County, Pennsylvania,
to serve the within
Complaint in Equity and Notice
On September 12, 1994
, this office was in receipt of
the attached return from
York
_ County, Pennsylvania.
Sheriff's Costs,
Docketing
Out of County
Surcharge
York County
14.00
5.00
2.00
16.00
$ 37.00 pd. by
and subscribed to before me
So answers,
Sworn
t.~:~M'~: 'KL:~~ :<'Sherif f
atty 9-13-94
this
~
,1
day of (j) d4",-,
19 <;IJ , A.D.
~;;,,-,, C. )H,Jl__
tL~lLf ..
I , 'J
Prothonotary
I'
l)4.~(KKI EQUITY TERM
4. Dckmlant wa~ thc owncr of 2~O ~harc~ of Plalano~. Inc. at the time the Agrecmcnt
with Bill Kat~ifls wa~ made. Tony Koukouna~ wa~ then and ~tilll~ thc owner of the othcr 2~O
sharc~ of a 10Iall~~ue of ~OO shares.
~. ()ef,'ndant "as formcrly employcd a~ a ehef at the Windmr Family Rcslaurant and
was in chargc of the kllch,'n and alsoordercd "lod from time to limc. lie was in chargc of
"~peclal~." and along with othl'rs, look a hand in puhlic rclations, and hiring and firing thc kltchcn
help.
6. Dcfcndant's wlfc, Effie Velllos. also worked attlw Windsor Family Restaurnntas a
cashier, hostess, l100r manager, puhlic rclations pcrson, and from limc to tlmc had some hand in
hiring and firing 1100r personnel. She also had a hand in hookkeeplllg and hanking activltics.
7. Tony Koukollnas also look part in managing and operating thc Windsor Family
Restuurunt, including doing somc cooking in Ihe kitchen. S,Hlle hiring and firing of kitchcn help
and l100r pcrsonncl and som,' huying of food.
8. Thc Flamingo Rcstaurant and Coffce Shop. Inc. Is leasing lhe former Chalet
Rcstuuranton U.S. Routc 15, ncar Dillshurg in York County. The distanec from the Windsor
Family Rcstaurantto the Flamingo, as measured hy the most direct routc ovcr highways, that
hcing Wcsley Drive to Route 15 and then directly south, varicd from point of departure and
entrancc and odometer to hetwcen 9.3 to 10.7 milcs. It is evilknt. howcvcr. that "as thc crow
tlies" the distance Is less than ten (10) miles.
'I. The owners of the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. arc Effic Velllos,
Constantinos (Gus) Georgcakopoulos (married to Effie's first cousin) and Dcmetrios (Jim)
Zahos (Effie's uncle).
10. Defendant has no ownership or othcr Interest in the Flamingo and has not loaned or
2
.
94.5(KIO EQUITY TERM
udvunced uny money or funds to his wife for lhc purpose of ohllllnlng un lntercst In the husiness.
11. Defendunt, his wifc, und her shurcowncr rclutlves wcre nwnrc of thc covennnt not to
eompcle und took honcsl good fnlth efforts ns Iny peoplc to mellsure the distnnee from the
Windsor Fumlly Resluuruntto lhc Flumlngo. Bnsed on these IIICllsurcmcnls, Ihe usc of the
defendllntlls u chef to help at the Flumingo wns inltlnlly considcred hUlthc dcfenduntncver
contempllltcd heing un owner or otherwisc luking IIny interest In the husincss hccuuse of hud
cxperienccs in thc pust with husincss partners or IIssodlltes.
12. Defcndunt, prior 10 the filing of this luwsult, madc no allcmptto conecul his
involvcment in thc Flamingo Rcstaurant, satisfied that thc restllurant was outside of the len-Ollie
limil set forlh inlhe covcnant not to compctc. Sincc Icarning that hc is in error with regnrd to
the distance, thc defcndant has ugrccd nollo participate In thc husincss and apparcntly has
ceused his involvement. Prcvious to this, thc defendant had suggcsted to one of thc owners of
thc Flamingo thaI hc contacl the Windsor Rcstaurant to ohtain thc model numher for II stcam
tmy. Hc also gave to Chris Coy. a woman whom he kncw to he employcd at the Windsor, a copy
of his wifc's husiness cards and menu to takc to "the hoys" (a refell~ncc to Bill Katslfls and Tony
Koukounas). Thcse aClions indicated a dcar lack of knowledge that he was potentilllly in
violation of the covenant not to compete.
13. Prior to thc Institution of this lawsuit, defendant. through counsel, assured Bill
Katsifls that he, Vclliios. would not he Involved In the Flamingo and "will not hc the chef or cook
or he cmployed in any other capacity nor will he work for free in any manner at the Flamingo."
14. The Flaming" Restaurant is not yctopen for husiness and is. thcreforc, not in
competition with the Windsor Family Restaurant.
3
lJ4.S(X)O EQUITY Tf.RM
DISCUSSlilli
In Schuul Dlstrlctuf City uf Plllshurl/h v. Zchru, IS Pu.Culllmw. 203, 20ll, 325 A.2d 330,
333 (llJ74), the CUllllllunwculth Cuurt reitcruted scvcrul prlnclplcs hnving tu du with the lssunncc
of Injunetiuns:
It must he rcmelllhcred ... thutthc Issunncc uf
injunction is un cxlrnurdinnry rClllcdy.
CUlllmunwclllth v. Nntion(11 GCllvshurll Tower. Inc.,
H Pn. Commonwcnlth Ct.. 231, 302 A.2d HH6 (1973).
Thc puwcr uf the euurts tu issuc injunctions shuuld
he cxercised with greut cnution allllunly wherc the
rensun und nceessity thercfor have hcen dcurly
estuhlishcd. Rick v. Crump. 3S7 Pa. 1{3, 53 A.2d H4
(1947). And, uf cuurse, one seeking an injunctiun
must estnhlish n dear Icgal right, nut douhtful or
uneertnin. McDonald v. NUlla, 393 Pa. 309, 141
A.2d H42 (1951{).
The power of the triul euurt tu issuc a preliminary injunetiun has heen furthl~r delimited as noted
in Commillee uf ScvenlV v. Alhert, 33 Pa.Commw. 44, 49. 3HI A.2d 1HH, 190 (1977):
Thn:e criteria have heen cstahlishcd fur the granting
uf a preliminary injunctiun. which, as a harsh and
extraordinary rcmedy, is tu he granted only when
and if each eritcria has hecn fully and completcly
estahlished. Crcdit Alliunee Curp. Iv. Philadelphia
Minit-Man Car Wash Corp., 4S0 Pa. 367,301 A.2d
HI6 (1973)1; Gillclle Cu. v. Master, 40H Pa. 202, IIl2
A.2d 7:l4 (1962). They arc (I) the preliminary
injunctiun must he necessary tu prevent immediate
and irreparahle harm which cuuld nut he
compensated for hy damagcs; (2) grcatcr injury
wuuld result from the denialuf the preliminary
injunetiun than frum the granting uf it; and (3) it
wuuld uperate to restore thc parties to thc status
quu as it existcd priur tu thc allcged wrongful
conduct. In addition to mccting allthrcc criteria,
the court must hc convinced that the plaintiffs right
tu a preliminary injunetiun is clear ... and general
cquity jurisdietion must he warranted. (cmphasis in
uriginal; hraekcted languagc addcd.)
4
. .
94.5000 EQUITY TERM
Thus fur in this cuse, it hus not hccn cstnhllshed th(lt nn Injunction Is necessary to prevent
immedintc und irrcpnruhle hnrm which eunnot he Cllmpensnted for hy money dumnges. There Is
no indication thntthc defendnnt hns un ownership interest in, is nn cmployce of, or Is otherwise
purticipnting in the huslness known us thc Flnmingo Restnurant. Whilc the defendnnt admits
that hc has had some involvemcntln prepnring the premises for opcning nnd in giving ndvicc, hc
has made wrillen aeknowlcdge, prior tothc filing of this complaint, thnt furthcr pnrticipntlon nt
the Flamingo would violatc his covenant not to compctc. The Flnmingo Resltlurnnt is not yet
open nnd Is not, therefore, in competition with the plaintiff.
The plaintiff, of course, nced not wait until actual harm hns heen cnused prior to seeking
the relief of a preliminary injunction. Sce Alnhama Binder and Chemical CorP. v. Pcnnsylvania
Industrial Chemical C'm, 410 Pa. 214, IHlJ A,2d IHO (1963). Noncthcless, thcrc is not yct
competition. The defendant hns no ownership intcrcst in thc Flamingo nor docs he intcnd to he
employcd hy them, and has assured the plaintiff in writing. prior to the institution of thc lawsuit,
that he would ahide hy the terms of the covenant not to compete. These factors militnte against
the issuance of a prcliminary injunction at this timc.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The parties hereto have entered into a covenant not to competc which is valid and
cnforceahle.
2. The participation of Athanasios Vellios in the operation of the Flamingo Restaurant
in a management capacity of any kind or as owner or employee would eonstitutc a violation of
the eovenant n',lt to compete.
3. In light of the defendant's assuranccs that hc will ahide hy thc covenant not to
compete and given the fact that the Flamingo is not in husiness and in competition with the
5
PLATANOS/ INC., BILL KATSIFIS, t IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
and TONY KOUKOUNAS, t CUMBERLAND COUNTY/ PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs t
t
V. t NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
t
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS, = CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
Defendant t
NOTICE
TO DEFENDANT NAMED HEREIN:
You have been sued in Court. If you wish to defend against
the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action
within twenty (20) days after this Amended Complaint and Notice
are served, by entering a written appearance personally or by
attorney and filing in writing with the Court your defenses or
objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned
that if you fail to do so, the case may proceed without you, and
a judgment may be entered against you' by the Court without
further notice for any money claimed in the Amended Complaint or
for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiffs. You
may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE
OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
COURT ADMINISTRATOR
Cumberland County Court House
1 Courthouse Square, 4th Flr.
Carlisle, PA 17013-3387
(717) 240-6200
Le han demandado a usted enla corte. si usted quiere
defenderse de estas demandas expuestas en las paginas siguientes,
usted tiene viente (20) dias de plazo al partie de la fecha de la
demanda y la notificacion. Usted debe presentar una apariencia
escrita 0 en persona 0 por abogado y archivar en la corte en
forma escrita sus defensas 0 sus objeciones alas demandas en
contra de su persona. Sea avisado que si usted no se defiende,
la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una orden contra usted sin
previa aviso 0 notificacion y por cualquier queja 0 alivio que es
pedido en la peticion de demanda. Usted puede perder dinero 0
sus propiedades 0 otros derechos importantes para usted.
PLATANOS, INC., BILL KATSIFIS,I
and TONY KOUKOUNAS, I
Plaintiffs I
I
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS,
Defendant
AMENDED COKP~~INT
AND NOW corne the Plaintiffs, by and through their
attorneys, Friedman and Friedman, P.C., and respectfully aver as
follows:
1. The Plaintiff, Platanos, Inc., is a duly registered
corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and is the owner
and operator of the Windsor Family Restaurant, located at 5144
Simpson Ferry Rd., Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
17055.
2. The Plaintiff, Bill Katsifis, is an adult
individual residing at 25 Valley View Dr., Mechanicsburg,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
3. The Plaintiff, Tony Koukounas, is an adult
individual residing at 5312 Oxford circle, Apt. 5, Mechanicsburq,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17055.
4. The Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, hereinafter
"Vellios", is an adult individual with an address of 1750 Ashland
Drive, York, York County, Pennsylvania 17404.
5. On April 28, 1993, the Defendant Vellios, who at
that time was the owner of fifty (50%) percent of the issued and
outstanding shares of Platanos, Inc., entered into an Installment
sales Agreement for the sale thereof to Bill Katsifis and Tony
Koukounas, as a result of which Katsifis and Koukounas are
present sole owners of Platanos, Inc. A copy of said Installment
Sales Agreement is attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A", and
incorporated herein by reference.
6. As a term of the aforementioned Installment Sales
Agreement executed by the Defendant on April 28, 1993, the
Defendant did promise and covenant not to enter into competition
with Platanos, Inc., or engage in the. same or similar type of
business as the Windsor Family Restaurant, either as an
individual or in any other business form, directly or indirectly,
whether as a principal, agent, employee or straw party, within a
ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant for a
period of three (3) years from the date of the contract, which
was April 28, 1993. A copy of this promise and covenant,
executed by the Defendant, is attached in the aforementioned
Exhibit "A".
7. The Installment Sales Agreement executed by the
Defendant defines incidents of default to include, "Breach of the
covenant not to compete by Vellios", and said agreement requires,
in the event of default, that the party breaching the contract
shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and costs incurred
in enforcing rights under the agreement. The sections entitled
Incidents of Default and Breach are included in the Installment
Sales Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit "A".
8. It is believed, and therefore averred, that
Defendant Vellios, contrary to the above-referenced promise and
covenant not to compete, is actively involved, both directly and
indirectly, with the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.,
and is actively involved, both directly and indirectly, with
activities being undertaken by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc. to open a restaurant on Route 15 in Dillsburg, York
county, Pennsylvania, said site being approximately seven and
seven tenths (7.7) miles from the aforementioned Windsor Family
Restaurant, and is performing services for the Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. as follows:
B.
Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
kitchen facility;
Remodeling, furnishing, and setting up the
dining room facillty;
Hiring of kitchen staff;
Solicitation of customers; and
A.
C.
D. .
E. Generally assisting in the organization and
institution of a competing business, that
being the restaurant being prepared to be
open by the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop, Inc.
9. It is also believed, and therefore averred, that
the Defendant has indicated that he will be acting as a chef/cook
at the restaurant which is being planned to be opened by the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
10. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant's wife and his wife's family members are the principals
in Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., and that Defendant
Vellios in integrally connected with the ongoing concerns of the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc.
11. It is believed, and therefore averred, that the
Defendant will continue to solicit business from customers of the
Plaintiffs to the detriment of the PlaintiffS, and will continue
to act both directly and indirectly ip competition with the
Plaintiffs, contrary to the Defendant's promisa and covenant not
to compete.
12. The Plaintiffs face immediate and irreparable
injury due to the Defendant's actions and competition with the
Plaintiffs, said actions being contrary to, and in violation of,
the promise and covenant not to compete executed by the
Defendant.
13. The Plaintiffs have no adequate remedy at law.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiffs respectfully request that
this Honorable Court:
A. Order the Defendant, At?anasios Vellios, to
immediately cease and desist any and all activity, either direct
or indirect, relating to the planning, institution and operation
of the restaurant which is being prepared for operation by the
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc..
B. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to cease
acting either directly or indirectly as a principal, agent,
employee or straw party of the aforementioned Flamingo Restaurant
and Coffee Shop, Inc., as those actions might relate to the
opening of a restaurant within a ten (10) mile radius of the
Windsor Family Restaurant.
C. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to cease
being physically present at the site of the aforementioned
restaurant which is being prepared by Flamingo Restaurant and
Coffee Shop, Inc. for operation on Route 15 in Dillsburg, for any
of the purposes or activities for which he has otherwise beell
enjoined from undertaking.
D. Order the Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to cease
soliciting customers of the Windsor Family Restaurant on behalf
of Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., and their operation
at the Route 15, Dillsburg, facility.
E. Grant the Plaintiffs such oth~r relief as this
Court may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to,
attorney's fees, as allowed for in the Installment Sales
Agreement executed by the Defendant and the principals of
Platanos, Inc., and costs.
Respectfully submitted,
FRIEDMAN AND FRIEDMAN,
.
/
P.c.
/-,
I
Date:OC,Q ~lW-~(,(f
n . K nq, e
N. Second Stre
thouse suite
P. O. Box 984
HarriSburg, PA 17108
(717) 236-8000
kip - Pleadings\Platanos.Amd
IH/:l8 . 8,k.
ENTERED INTO, This ~h day of April, 1993
BETWEEN ATHANASIOS VELLlOS ,of 1750 Ashland Drive, York, Pennsylvania 17404
hereinafter known as Vellios,
AND
BILL KATSIHS, of Silver Spring Township, CumberlllOd County, Pennsylvania,
hereinafter known as Katsifis,
AND
TONY KOUKOUNAS, of Mechllllicsburg, CumberlllOd County, PeMsylvllOia,
hereinafter known as Koukounas. Koukounas joins in the within agreement to evidence his IlSsent
to the warranties llIId gull1'l1llues made by him herein;
WITNESSETH: That the said Vellios, In consideration of ~l'; terms llIId conditions
hereinafter mentioned and contained, agrees to transfer llIId deliver unto the said Katsifis, his heirs
IlOd assigns,
Two Hundred Fifty (250) shares of common stock in PlalaJ1os, Inc., which said shares of
stock represent the entire remaining interest of Vellios In PlalaJ1OS, Inc., llIId which said shares
constitute a one-half (1/2) interest in PlalaJ1os, Inc. Vellios agrees to execute all necessary
documents contemporaneously with the signing of this document to effect the immediate transfer
of said shares to Katsifis.
IN CONSIDERATION WHEREOF, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Purchase orlce. Katsifis agrees to pay to Vellios therefor, the sum of $150,000.00 Dollars,
IlS follows:
(1) $55,000.00 dollars upon the execution of this Agreement of Sale, the rcceipt whereof is
hereby acknowledged by Vellios,llIId which said $55,000.00 is more specifically paid as follows:
0. $10,000.00 which is held in escrow by Charles E. Shields, m, Esquire, attorney
for Vellios and which is agreed by the parties hereto to be released 10 Vellios contemporaneously
with the signing of this Agreement.
b. $40,050.00 to be paid by certified or cllShiers check made payable to the order of
Plalllnos, Inc. as a 101lO to the corporation. It is the underslaJ1dlng of the parties hereto that
contemporaneously with this agreement PlalaJ1OS, Inc. will make payment to Vellios of $40,050.00,
which figure represents full payment of the debt owed by PlolllnOs, Inc. to Vellios.
c. $4,950.00 to be paid by certified or cashiers check made payable to the order of
Athanasios Vellios.
AlITHENTICA TED BY
Vellios:
~V
AUTHENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
AU1HENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
Ole.
1
1f-
1')'7 Y ;(.~ Q).l< IIV'
J" I MJ_.. '1~ .r '1/::<'0<:)..,;) ocl.,t"J" ,~<;;
~,.,"S ~/~,.....,. I ,/
(2) the balanee of $95,<XlO.OO dollars i monthly Twenty-eight monthly installments,
including a balloon payment of $10,000.00, whi I balloon pa ment shall be supplemenllllllOd m
addition to the regulw' monthly payment of due , and also a final balloon payment
of $10,83.5.87 due in the twenty-eighth mOlllh a.~ more fully set forth on the Iltlllched l1IIlortizatlon
schedule which is incorporuted herein by referenced. said monthly inslllllments to be applied first
to interest at the rate of eight (8.00%) percent per l1Q.!l1.!m on the unpaid balance of ~:~6\~~
monthly Installment to be paid on l}t ~fore the.~ nay of C<lch month, beginning , ""'~ 1 ~, ,
ll/ld thereafter on or before the ~ (lay of each succeeding lIlonth until principal WId 11Ilerest have . V' J
been fully Pllid, except that, if not sooncr paid, the said prlnclpai [\lid interest shall be paid in full . f-
by the twenty-eighth month (IS aforesaid, anything herein conlllmed to the conlrnry (J Ie.
notwithSlaJ1ding. A- t/
fI:l:wIyment. KalSifis shall have the privilege of paying as much more than the required
montlilylnslllllment of principal IlOd interest as he desires, and nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be consuued to limit the reduction of principal to said lImounl. Interest shall be
computed on the unpaid principal balllOce. Provided, however, that any prepa.yment nlllde shall be
limited to one or more incremenlS of principal as shown on the amortization or a payment of an
wnount equal to the full payment of the outstanding obligation on the date of payment.
Place of oavment. All paymenlS shall be made to Vellios at whatever address is designated
in writing, and until funhernol1ce at 1750 Ashland Drive, York, Pennsylvania 17404.
Securltv. As security for performance by KalSifis of the tenns and conditions conlllined
herem, Katsifis aFs to execute contemporaneously with the within Agreement a Stock Pledge
Agreement pledgmg the aforesaid 250 shares of PlalaJ1os, Inc. as security to be held by Charles E.
Shields, ill, Esquire, 2 West Main Street, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055, as attomey for
Vellios until full perfonnanee under the tenns of this Agreement.
As further security for perfonnllOce by Katsifis of the tenus and conditions contained herein,
Tony Koukounas, does hereby agree to personally gUllrllOtee the perfonnance of KalSifis of the
terms and conditions of Ibis Agreement. To secure said gullrllOtee, Koukounas does hereby agree
to execute contemporaneously with the within Agreement a Stock Pledge Agreement pledging 250
shares of PlalaJ1os, Inc., representing his entire ownership interest in Platanos, Inc. Said shares
shall be held by Robert G. Frey, Esquire,S South HllOover Street, Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013,
as attorney for 10hn KaISifis. Provided, however, that all parties hereto acknowledge that the Stock
Pledge Agreement given by Koukounas to Vellios is subordinate and inferior to 11 Stock Pledge
Agreement given by Koukounas to 10hn KatsiflS. Tony Koukounas and Bill Kotsifis each agrees
to execute a demand note, co-signed by each party's respective wife, m the amount of $9.5,000.00
as further security and os surety and gullrllOtee of the said performances by Katsifis.
Incidents or Ownershlo. It is also agreed between the panies hereto that without regard to
llOy of the provisions to the controry regarding the holding or pledging of stock eertificates,
KolSifis shall be entitled to all the mcidents of ownership in the said shares of stock in Platonos,
Inc. and shall be entitled to receive rents, issues, and profits from the date of this agreement.
Provided, however, thai KalSifis and Koukounas agree that as owners, officers, and directors of
PlatllOos, Inc., they willoot without the express written consent of Vellios and 10hn Katsifis, issue
additional shares of common or preferred stock, or restructure or recapilllliz.e the stock structure of
Platan~s, Inc. KalSiflS and Koukounas agree that neither of them shall assign, sell, transfer or
otherwISe funher encumber any shares of Platanos, Inc., until such time as Vellios and John
Katsifis are paid in fun. The restrictions and agreemenlS with respect to the shares of Plalllnos
shall continue and be in full force and effect only until Vellios and John Katsifis are paid in full
under the terms of this Agreement.
AlITHENTICATED BY
Vellios:
!tV
AUTIIENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
AUTIIENTICATED BY
KalSifis:
~ K..
-(Ie
2
(
pellverv of shAres. Upon compHwlce with thc foregoing tCIll15 and conditions and
payment of the said purchase poce In full by Katslfis, Vcllios ~hnll promptly deliver to KalSifis the
250 shares of stock In Platnnos, Inc. which Is pledgcd ns security for perfonnance by Kntslfls of
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Vellios shAll promptly sign a general release In
favor of Katslfis and KoukounAs.
Default. Inthc cvcnllhc saill Katsilis shall tail tll nlake any monthly paymenl for a period
of thirty (30) days aftcr thc samc shall haw be<:omc duc and pa~ablc by the tcnns hcrcof, or if II
breach of any of the foregoing conditions be madc by Katslfis, thcn and in such case this
Agreement shill, at the option of Vellios, become null and void and the said Kntslfis shall forfdt all
monies then paid as liquidated danlllges. In the altemative, Vcllios Ollly elect to have the entire
principal sum remaining unpaid become due tmd payable at once and may be collect the swne by
suit or otherwise. Provided, however. that that no such default shall occur unless Vellios has given
Katslfis and any other shareholders of Platnnos. Inc. lit least thirty (30) days written notice of such
violation of the tenus hereof. Katslfis, or any other shareholder of PlatWlos. Inc. shill have the
right to correct such default during said thirty-day period. provided, however. that said curing patty
give at least fifteen (15) days written notice of Intent to cure said default. If a shareholder eleclS to
cure the default of KalSlfis, said shareholder shall
a. Completely cure the default of Katsifis
b. Execute an agrecment assumirtg all of the terms of this Agreement.
c. Execute a stock pledge agreement In same form as the Stock Pledge Agreement
executed by Katslfis pursuWlt to this Agreement.
If said shareholder elects to remedy the default and assume the obligations of KatsUis,
Vellios and Katslfis will fully cooperate m the asslsnment of KatsUis's shares of Platnnos Inc..
subject to the Stock Pledge agreement, to the assuming shareholder.
/,,!onwalver of rh!hls. Acceptnnce by Vellios of any of the aforesaid monthly payments
after the swne shill have become past due and in default, or any failure to enforce any of the rights
herein reserved to the parties of the fU"St pan, or any of the penalties. forfeitures, damages or
conditions herein conla1/led, shall not in any wise be considered a waiver of the right to enforce
the same at any time and any attempt to collect the amount due by one proceeding shall not be
considered a waiver of the right to institute any of the other proceedings herein providod. but ill of
the rights of Vellios, and all forfeitures, penalties, damages and conditions Ollly be enforced
together or successively at the option of Vellios.
Covenant nollo comoele. Vellios agrees that he will not, either as an individual or In any
other business form, directly or indirectly, enter into competition with Platanos, Inc. or engage in
the same or similar type of baseness as the Windsor Family Restaurant whether as a principal,
agent, employ<.:e, or straw patty within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant,
located at the comer of Trindle and Windsor Road for a period of three years from the date of this
Contract.
Warranlles nnd Indemnlncallons:
Warranlv n~~ardinl! taxes. Vellios hereby Wa.7Wlts that all taxes owed by
Platnnos, Inc., including real estate, income, WId corporate taxes and unemployment
compensation contribution for prior year.; have been paid, excepting those set fonh on
Exhibit "A", attached hereto and incorporated hcrein. Vellios agrees to Indemnify and
defend Katsilis for his share of any tax deficiencies owed or alleged to be owed by
1/1,/
AU111ENTICATED I3Y
Katsifis:
U31L:.,
AUTHENTICATED I3Y
Koukounas:
AUlllENTICATED I3Y
Vellios:
1.~
3
( (
Platanos, Inc. for 1992 and prior years. Vellios warrants that nil said taxes and
assessments due In conncction with the operation of Platanos, Inc. and the Windsor
Pamily Restaurant to any city, oounty, state, or federal govenunental agencies. shill be
paid lit full up to the date of scttlement and that nil due returns, fOlll1s, and taxes required
to be filed with snld agencies have been properly filed and paid as of the settlement date,
or wHl be so filed and paid in due course thereafter.
Wnrrnnlv rCl1nrdlnv nssels nnd IInbililles of CoroorallQJl. Vellios hcreby
warrants that thc assets und liabilities arc us sct fonh on Exhibit uA" anached hereto
and IncolpOrated herein by reference. Vellios shall indemnify KalSlfis for Katsifis's
share of the colpOrate obligation for any debts not disclosed to Katslfis on Exhibit
uA".
Warrontv of c;onformlly w1lh Government re\PIlallons. Vellios warrants
that he fS not aware of any governmental notices concerning any violations of any
Federal, State or local law, rule or regulation. nor of any work required to be performed
or any assessment for any thing whatsoever, including. but not limited to, sidewalk.
street, water and sewer. and other such Improvements. Vellio$ warrants that the existing
utilities are sufficient to service the premises and Its current operations. Vellios warrants
that the existing use of the premises is a permitted use under all applicable zoning
ordinances, or that a certificate of non-conforOlllllce from the appropriate zoning
officials shall be provided on or before settlcment
Warranlv of comollancc wllh Lease oblleallons. Vellios warrants that the
Lease Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit uB" is the current agreement between
Platanos, Inc. and Weis Markets and that there have been no modifications, written or
oral, of the terms thereof. Vellios further warrants that he is unaware of any uncured
violations of any of the tenDS of said lease and that he has received no notice of default
In the terms of the lease. Katsifis acknowledges that said Lease contains a personal
guarantee by Vellios and Nicholas Barakos. a former shareholder. Katslfis and
Koukounas each oovenants that he will make all reasonable efforts to remove VeUios's
guarantee from future lease ap'tCments. Until such time as Vellios is no longer a
guarantor of the lease obliganon with Weis Markets, Katsifts and Koukounas will
indemnify, defend and hold Vellios harmless from any liability arising from said
personal guarantee. Further, for as long this Agreement is In effect, Katslfis and
Koukounas agree that they will cause Platanos, Inc. to dr.liver by bank-to-bank wire
transfer, the monthly rental payments to Weis Markets and will provide Vellios with
copies of the bank receipt evidencing said transfer.
yvarrantv of Insurance. Katslfis and Koukounas both warrant that they have
made application for and the corporation will pay for business interrUption insurance,
the terms of which are as set forth on Exhibit "0", attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. KatsiflS and Koukounas warrant that they will cause P1atanos, Inc.
to keep said insurance in full force and effect and shall forward copies of the renewal
declarations to Vellios for the life of this Agreement and Guarantee.
AU1HENTICA TED BY
Vellios:
AUTI-lEN'nCATEO BY
Katsifis:
AU1HENTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
All
fJ,fc,
~.r
4
(
Mnlerlnlllv of Wllrrunlll'S. 111is Agrccmcnt is cxpressly contingent upon the
wnmmtics of Vellios being true nnd correct at the settlement dllte. Any express
contingency in this Agreement lllay be wn!ved In writing by the pany to be benefited by
the contingency III the time of settlement. In tlle event that any such contingency fails
this Agreement shall be null and void and nll deposit monies shall be relUmed to
Kntslfis withoUI deduction and without furtller liability hereunder on the pan of either
pnrty hereto. All warranties In this Agreement, not expressly waived shnll also be
considered covenants of this Agreemcnt llnd IIllY fllllure of IIny wllmmty shall be
consldcred n default in thc tcnns of the agrecmcnt by thc brcaching party and slmll
entitle the nonbreachlng pllJ1ies to all the rights and responsibilities 011 defnult as set
fonh in this Agreement. Provided, however, that the breaching party shnll be entitled to
cure the failure of any warranty within thirty (30) days from the date he receives writtcn
notice of the fnUure of any warranty given by him.
Cornorate Records. Koukounas and Katsifis ngree tllllt. as officers, directors Md
shareholders of Platanos, Inc., they shill nuthorize the person or persons responsible for the
keeping of the books, accounts, and recaJds to mnke nvai\nble to Vellios on a monthly basis n
statenlent of the Income and expenses of Platanos, Inc. in a form substantially the swne as the
monthly reports now prepared for PlalanOS, Inc. by Gift Sniegocki & Associates, the most recent
monthly report being attached hereto as Exhibit Ole".
Incldenls or Defnull. Ocfault shall be defined as a breach of any of the terms of this
Agreement, Including :
n. Failure of Kntslfis to make any payment as aforesaid.
b. Breach of any of the above-stated warranties.
e. Entry into bWlkruptcy under any chnpter of the BWlkruptcy Code.
d. Breach of the tenus of the lease by Platnnos, Inc.
e. A permanent cessation of business known as the Windsor Family Restaurant.
f. Failure of Platnnos, Inc. to pay ail taXes when due, unless there ls a good faith
dispute concerning said taxes.
g. Breach of the covenant not to compete by Vellios.
BreRch. In the event of default under the tenus of this Agreement, the party tRachlng thls
contract shall be responsible for payment of legal fees and costs Incurred by the other in enforcing
their rights under this Agreement. Should Kats\fis breach the tenus of this Agreement and should
said breach not be cured as provided In this Agreement, Vellios shall have the right to declare this
Agreement null and void and to retain all payments received as liquidated damages. Vellios shall
further have the option to re-enter and operate the Windsor Family Restaurant as owner pursuant
to the Stock Pledge Agreements. or, In the nltemative, he shall have the option to accderate as due
and inunediately payable, the entire unpaid principal amount as evidenced by the Demand Notes
executed by Katslfis and Koukounas and to collect thereon. Nothing herein contained shall
restrict an)' rights he Ollly have to go against Tony Koukounas el ux., upon any guarantee or surety
or other agreement.
AUTHENTICATED BY
Ve\lios:
ItV
AUTIIENTICATED BY
Katsilis:
~.l~.
AlrnffiNTICA TED BY
Koukounas:
-rr:-
5
( (
Modlncollon. No modification of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties, unless
the same shllll be in writing and duly opproved by both of the parties hereto.
Nonosslt:nobllltv. The Interest of Katslfis in this Agreement shall not be assignable, in
wholo or in part, without the prior written consent and approval of Vellios, and If such assignment
is attempted, all rights and remedies of Vellios set forth herein or which VeWos may otherwise
have shilll.mmediately accrue to Vellios. Transfer of title by Will, survivorship, descent or by
election of a shareholder to cure the default of Katsllis shall not be regarded as an assignment
requiring the consent and approval of Vellios.
Survlvol of Aqreement. This Agreement is to extend to and be binding upon the heirs,
sUCCC$sors, executors. administrators, and assigns of the parties hereto.
Document Comnllonce. The undersigned parties for and In consideration of the tenns of
this Agreement, if requested by any other party or the attomey of any other party , to fully
cooperate and adjust for clerical errors, or omissions, in any or all of the closing docW1lentation if
deemed necessary or desirable In the reasonable discretion of any party or their attorney, to fully
consummate said AgreemenL The undersigned parties do hereby so agree and covenant in order
to assure that this documentation executed this date will conform and be acceptable and complete
to the standard practices and requirements.
INTENDING TO BE LEGALLY BOUND, WITNESS OUR HANDS AND SEALS,
on this page 6 of 6 pages, the day and year first above written.
~:~
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l17'1at.tf&l/A I~ 1/ ~aJ.....(SEAL)
Athanasios Vellios
fj.~ ~ k~L# (SEAL)
Bill KatsiftS '
(SEAL)
To yKo n
AunmNTICATED BY
Vellios:
AUTHENTICATED BY
Katsifis:
f3.k
AtrrnENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
/Iv
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6
('
Liabilities
1, Real eslllte taxes billed annually by Wels Markets, bill expecll'..d in September 1993
for 1993 real eSlllte taxes.
2. Current sales tax.
3. Current payroll and witholdlng Wes.
4. Current bills from suppUers, none of which are more than 30 days past due.
AUTImNTICATED BY
Vellios:
AuntENTICATEDDY
KalSlfls:
(J j<.,
Exhibit "A"
AU1lIENTICATED BY
Koukounas:
,Av
-rt-
PLATANOS, INC.,
Plalnllll
IN THE COURT OF COM'.OII PlEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYlVANIA
NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION, EQUITY
v.
ATHANASIOS VEWOS,
Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Charlea E. Shlelda, III Eaqulre of Mellon Bank Building, 2 Wesl Main Street,
Meohanlcaburg, Pennsylvania 17055, do hereby certify thaI on this 181h day of Oelober
1994, I aerved the wllhln Preliminary Objections of Defendanl to PlalnllH's Cemplalnl, by
placing Ihe same In Ihe Unlled Stales First Class Mall, Poslage prepaid 10:
John F. King, Esquire
FRIEDMAN AND FRIEDMAN, P.C.
600 N. Second Street
P.O. Box 984
, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17108
(717) 236-8000
CI:ub;: /~~
-----------------------------
Charlea E. Shields, III, Esquire
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PLATANOS, INC"
Plaintiff
v.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS,
Defendant
PETITIONBR'S EXCEPTIONS TO DECR!! NISI
The Petitioner, Platanos, Inc., now files the following
Exceptions to the Honorable Judge Hess's opinion and Decree Nisi,
pursuant to Order of the Court dated October 5, 1994, and, in
particular, asks the Court to vacate its adjudication of October
5, 1994, and asks that the Court now evaluate the various factors
it has omitted from its consideration, and that it then modify or
change its October 5, 1994 opinion and Decree Nisi by entering
judgment for Platanos, Inc. and against Athanasios Vollios
notwithstanding the Court's October 5, 1994 Decree Nisi, and
notwithstanding its resolution of the other requests for relief
set forth in these Exceptions.
The reasons advanced in support of this relief are:
1. This Honorable Court found that the parties hereto
have entered into a Covenant Not to compete, which is valid and
enforceable. Opinion and Decree Nisi, Conclusions of Law,
paragraph 1.
2. This Honorable Court found that lias the crow
flies" the distance between the Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee
Shop and the Windsor Family Restaurant is less than ten (10)
miles. Opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings, paragraph 8.
3. This Honorable Court fpund that the participation
of Athanasios Vellios in the operation of the Flamingo Restaurant
in a management capacity of any kind, or as owner or employee,
would constitute a violation of the Covenant Not to Compete,
Opinion and Decree Nisi, Conclusions of Law, paragraph 2.
4. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios did covenant not to compete with Platanos, Inc., either
directly or indirectly, and Vellios did covenant not to engage in
the same or similar type business as the Windsor Family
Restaurant, whether as a principal, agent, employee, or straw
party, within a ten (10) mile radius of the Windsor Family
Restaurant. Petitioner's Proposed Corclusions of Law,
paragraph 2.
5. This Honorable Court found that Vellios made no
attempt to conceal his involvement in the Flamingo Restaurant,
and had suggested to one of the owners of the Flamingo Restaurant
that he contact the Windsor Family Restaurant to obtain the model
number for a steam tray. This Honorable Court also found that
Vellios gave to Chris Coy, a woman whom he knew to be employed at
the Windsor Family Restaurant, a copy of his wife's business
cards and menu to take to "the boys" (a reference to Bill
Katsifis and Tony Koukounas). Opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual
Findings, paragraph 12.
2
6, This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios has participated in cleaning and washing necessary for
the preparation of the opening of the Flamingo Restaurant,
Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact, paragraph 15.
7. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios has acted as a mentor to Konstantinos Georgakopoulos in
the preparation for the opening of the Flamingo Restaurant.
Petitioner's proposed Findings of Fact, paragraph 17.
8. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios has expressed an ongoing willingness and desire to help
in the setup and operation of the Flamingo Restaurant.
Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact, paragraph 20.
9. This Honorable Court found that Page 3 of the
Agreement contained the following paragraph:
"Covenant not to comDete. Vellios agrees
that he will not, either as an individual or
in any other business form,' directly or
indirectly, enter into competition with
Platanos, Inc. or engage in the same or
similar type of baseness [sic] as the Windsor
Family Restaurant whether as a principal,
agent, employee, or straw party within a ten
(10) mile radius of the Windsor Family
Restaurant, located at the corner of Trindle
and Windsor Road [sic] for a period of three
years from the date of this contract."
opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings,
paragraph 2.
3
10, This Honorable Court found that Vellios, his wife,
and her shareowner relatives were aware of the covenant not to
compete. opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings, paragraph
11,
11. This Honorable Court erred in considoring issue6
of honest good faith efforts as lay people (referring to VelliQs,
his wife, and her shareowner relatives) to measure the distance
from the Windsor Family Restaurant to. the Flamingo Restaurant,
said issues not being applicable to the covenant not to compete
at issue. Opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings, paragraph
11.
12. This Honorable Court erred in considering issues
relating to a clear lack of knowledge that he (Vellios) was
potentially in violation of the covenant not to compete, said
issues not boing applicable to the covenant not to compete at
issue. Opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings, paragraph 12.
13. This Honorable Court erred in considering issues
relating to the Defendant's (Vellios) assurances that he will
abide by the covenant not to compete,. said issues not being
applicable to the covenant not to compete at issue. Opinion and
Decree Nisi, Findings ot Fact, paragraph 13; and Opinion and
Decree Nisi, Conclusions ot Law, paragraph 3.
14. This Honorable Court erred in considering issues
relating to the Flamingo Restaurant not yet being opened for
business, said issues not being applicable to the covenant not to
4
compete at issue. opinion and Decree Nisi, Factual Findings,
paragraph 14; and opinion and Decree Nisi, conclusions ot Law,
paragraph 3.
15. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that the
Installment Sales Agreement executed on April 28, 1993, defines
an incident of default as ".,.a breach of any of the terms of
this A~reement, including:..,(g) breach of the covenant not to
compete by Vellios." Peti tioner' s Proposed Findings ot Fact,
paragraph 21.
16. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that the
Installment Sales Agreement executed on April 28, 1993, states,
"In the event of default under the terms of this Agreement, the
party breaching this contract shall be responsible for payment of
legal fees and costs incurred by the other in enforcing their
rights under this Agreement." Petitioner's Proposed Findings ot
Fact, paragraph 22.
17. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Platanos, In~., co-owned by Katsifis and Koukounas, and being the
entity which Vellios covenanted not to compete against, entered
into a fee agreement with Friedman and Friedman, P.C. for
services to be rendered in enforcing its rights under the
Installment Sales Agreement executed on April 28, 1993.
Petitioner's Proposed Findings of Fact, paragraph 23.
18. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that the
fee agreement entered into by Platanos, Inc. requires payment at
5
a rate of $175.00 per hour for the services of Richard S.
Friedman, Esquire, $125.00 per hour for the services of John F.
King. Esquire, and $35.00 per hour for a paralegal and legal
assistant's work, plus costs. Petitioner's Proposed Findings ot
Fact, paragraph 24.
19. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that the
fee billowed by Platanos, Inc. at time of trial, which included
3.5 hours for travel and attendance at hearing, is $3,009.90.
Petitioner's Proposed Findings ot Fact, paragraph 25.
20. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that, at
hearing, the parties were directed to prepare Proposed Findings
of Fact and Conclusions of Law for submittal to the Court.
Petitioner's Proposed Findings ot Fact, paragraph 26.
21. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios has breached his covenant not. to compete with Platanos,
Inc. by both directly and indirectly participating in the
planning, institution, and operation of the Flamingo Restaurant,
which is within ten (10) miles of the Windsor Family Restaurant.
Petitioner's Proposed Conclusions ot Law, paragraph 7.
22. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
sufficient evidence and testimony has been given at hearing,
including direct testimony and cross examination of Vellios and
through his attorney, Charles E. Shields, III, Esquire, to allow
for an Order enjoining Vellios from any further activities,
either as an individual or in any other business form, directly
6
or indirectly, from entering into competition with Platanos,
Inc" or from engaging in the same or similar type of business as
the Windsor Family Restaurant, whether as a principal, agent,
employee, or straw party within a ten (10) mile radius of the
Windsor Family Restaurant. Petitioner's proposed Conclusions ot
Law, paragraph B.
23. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Platanos, Inc. has incurred legal fees and costs in its efforts
to enforce the covenant not to compete given by Vellios.
Petitioner's Proposed Conclusions ot Law, paragraph 9.
24. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that
Vellios is responsible for the payment of the legal fees and
costs incurred by Platanos, Inc. in the enforcement of the
covenant not to compete. Petitioner's Proposed Conclusions ot
Law, paragraph 10.
25. This Honorable Court erred in not finding that the
costs incurred, including attorney's fees, by the Petitioner for
the preparation of proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law are recoverable under the terms of th~ Installment Sales
Agreement. Petitioner's Proposed Conclusions ot Law, paragraph
11.
26. This Honorable Court's Opinion is against the
weight of the evidence.
7
WHEREFORE, Petitioner, Platanos, Inc., respectfully
requests this Honorable Court tot
1, Alter and modify the adjudication of october 5,
1994 in form and in substance to reflect the matters and points
set forth above;
2. Issue a Preliminary Injunction requiring the
Defendant, Athanasios Vellios, to immediately cease and desist
any and all activity, either direct or indirect, relating to the
planning, institution and operation of the restaurant which is
being prepared for operation by the Flamingo Restaurant and
Coffee Shop, Inc.;
3. Issue a Preliminary Injunction prohibiting the
Defendant from acting either directly or indirectly as a
principal, agent, employee or straw party of the aforementioned
Flamingo Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc., as those actions might
relate to the opening of a restaurant within a ten (10) mile
radius of the Windsor Family Restaurant;
4. Issue a Preliminary Injunction prohibiting the
Defendant from being physically present at the site of the
aforementioned restaurant which is being prepared by Flamingo
Restaurant and Coffee Shop, Inc. for operation on Route 15 in
Dillsburg, for any of the purposes or. activities for which he has
otherwise been enjoined from undertaking;
5. Issue a Preliminary Injunction prohibiting the
Defendant from soliciting customers of the Windsor Family
8
PLATANOS, INC'I , IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff , CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,
v. , NO, 94-5000 EQUITY TERM
,
ATHANASIOS VELLIOS, , CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
Defendant
CERTIfICATE OF SERVICE
I, John F. King, Esquire, hereby certify that on
october 13, 1994, I served a copy of the within Petitioner'.
Exceptions to Dacrae Nisi, by depositing same in the United
States Mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed as follows,
Charles E, Shield8, III, Esquire
Mellon Bank Building
2 West Main st.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
John B. Fowler, III, Isquire
Fowler, Addams, Shughart & Rundle
28 South pitt st.
carlisle, PA 17013
IEDMAN, P,C.
60 N. Second ~
Penthouse suite
P. O. Box 984
Harrisburg, PA 17108
(717) 236-8000