New Dunkin' Brand Officer Hired, Then Sued

In the wake of Dunkin’ Donuts president and chief brand officer William Kussell’s departure from Dunkin’ Donuts last week, it was reported on Monday that Starbucks’ executive Paul Twohig had begun working as Dunkin’ Donuts’ new brand operating officer. The Canton, Massachusetts-based franchising firm also announced that it had hired Sue Thirlwall as the brand operating officer for subsidiary Baskin-Robbins. Ms.Thirlwall joins the franchised ice cream chain from Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands, parent to KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W and more. She served as the national director of franchise there.

However, if it involves Dunkin’ Donuts, there must be a lawsuit somewhere.

On Wednesday, Starbucks announced that it was suing former employee Paul Twohig, who was until March a divisional senior vice president of Starbucks, for violating an 18-month non-compete clause in his employment contract.

The former Southeast U.S. retail chief received “substantial pay and other consideration” when he left the company, Starbucks said in the complaint. He contacted Starbucks in August and asked to be released from the agreement, which was refused, according to the complaint.

“Dunkin’ Donuts has announced itself as direct competitor of Starbucks who is intent on taking away Starbucks’ customers,” the company said in the complaint... Starbucks learned this month through Internet searches that Twohig took a job with Dunkin’ Donuts as its brand operations officer, according to the complaint. – Bloomberg.com

The case is listed in the news story as Starbucks Corp. v. Twohig, 2:09-cv-01404, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington (Seattle).

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