The owner of a North Jersey Hooters that suddenly closed amid a slew of health violations is being sued by Hooters of America.
PARAMUS -- The owner of a North Jersey Hooters that suddenly closed amid a slew of health violations is being sued by Hooters of America.
An ongoing federal lawsuit by Georgia-based Hooters of America against Hoot Owl Restaurants, which operates several Hooters locations throughout New Jersey and the Northeast, detailed the allegedly deplorable conditions found at the Paramus eatery.
Flies swarmed in the basement, backed-up plumbing causing pools of water and numerous instances of mold were among some of the 20 violations, including eight critical, found in the restaurant in early August, the suit alleges. More than three critical violations equal a failing score, according to Hooters of America.
When a franchise business director arrived at the Route 4 restaurant the next day, he found a sign on the door stating "Temporarily closed for a remodel. Please visit our Hackensack store," the suit alleges.
Hooters claims that the closure of the location without their consent is against their franchise agreement with Hoot Owl Restaurants. Additionally, denying the business director entry into the location also violated the agreement.
The Facebook page for Hooters of Paramus does not state the restaurant is closed. In a reply to a comment on August 9, the restaurant said they were closed for a remodel and directed customers to the Hackensack location adding, "We will be back soon."
The Paramus closure came after the closure of two other Hooters operated by Hoot Owl Restaurants, one on Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and one in Warick, Rhode Island.
"Allowing the Paramus restaurant to reach such an unacceptable condition is evidence of Hoot Owl's gross negligence and willful breach of the franchise agreement," the lawsuit states. "This third closure of one of Hoot Owl's franchised restaurants will cause even more damage to the goodwill of the Hooters brand."
Hooters entered a Franchise agreement with Hoot Owl in May 1996, it says. The franchise now operates 12 Hooters locations including in Atlantic City, Lawrenceville, Hackensack and East Brunswick.
A receptionist at the Delaware-based Hoot Owl Restaurants said the company had no comment on the lawsuit.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.