More on the dispute:
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/local/scn-sa-swankyfranks4mar21,0,3235751.story?coll=stam-news-local-headlines Hot dog war looms over use of name
By Lisa Chamoff
Staff Writer -- Stamford Advocate
March 21, 2006
Who owns the name Swanky Frank's?
That's the subject of a lawsuit filed recently in state Superior Court in Stamford.
The Norwalk man who had owned the hot dog joint on Connecticut Avenue for more than 30 years, until 1982, is suing its most recent operator for using the name at three other restaurants.
Until last month, Bethel resident Robert Manere ran the tiny Norwalk landmark eatery off Exit 14 of Interstate 95 for 18 years.
The Renzuella family, which owns the property, terminated Manere's lease in September, according to the lawsuit filed last month.
Rowayton resident Alexander Renzuella claims in the lawsuit that in 1988, he gave Manere the nonexclusive license to use the name Swanky Frank's, along with the sale of the stock in the company.
Their written agreement stated that if Manere's lease were terminated, the Swanky Frank's name and the right to use it would revert to the Renzuella family, according to the lawsuit.
Manere and his attorney, Edward Sheehy of Trumbull, declined to comment yesterday on the lawsuit.
"They say what they have, and that's fine," Manere said of the Renzuella family.
Manere has opened three other Swanky Frank's restaurants, in Westport and Milford and most recently with a partner in Tahlequah, Okla. He and his wife, Robin, federally trademarked the name in 1999.
The lawsuit claims the Maneres' application for the trademark contained false statements because his right to use the name was nonexclusive.
"We think it's pretty clear what happened to the name once the lease is terminated," said Renzuella's attorney, Mark Grenier.
Grenier said he and his client are seeking a permanent injunction against Manere and his wife from using the name Swanky Frank's.
"We're not seeking to have him close down the restaurants," Grenier said.
Renzuella's grandson, Drew Satterfield, said earlier this year that he plans to clean up the building at 182 Connecticut Ave. and reopen it as Swanky Frank's.
Satterfield said yesterday he would not comment on his plans now that the lawsuit had been filed.
A banner hanging on the building reads, "Swanky Franks Re-Opening Under the Old Management. Al, Bunny and Family are Returning, Bringing Back Quality Food and Friendly Service."
In an interview with The Advocate on Jan. 31, the day he closed the restaurant, Manere said that since he registered and trademarked the name Swanky Frank's, he would sue Satterfield if he used it.
The lawsuit references Manere's statement, saying "the defendant's false claims constitute an invasion of privacy that has unreasonably clouded and called into public question the plaintiff's rightful ownership of the name 'Swanky Frank's.' "
In the suit, Renzuella claims more than $15,000 in monetary damages.
Grenier said he and the Renzuellas were "still in the process of investigating those money damages" and could not give a total amount.
Grenier said he is waiting for Manere and his attorney to file an answer or pleading to the case. They have until the middle of next month to do so.
"I think it (the lawsuit) tells a fuller story than what was told before," Grenier said.
Copyright © 2006, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.
