Gold Coast restaurateur Nick Omeros is taking legal action against his son, John Omeros, in a Supreme Court dispute over a new restaurant venture at the Isle of Capri.
The 83-year-old co-founder of Omeros Bros alleges his son improperly moved ahead with plans for Johnny Omeros on Capri through a separate company, Omeros Capri Pty Ltd, excluding him from the business and breaching his duties as co-director of the family’s original company.
He is seeking orders to stop his son from operating any restaurant using the Omeros name, to prevent use of the brand’s goodwill, and to block the new venture from drawing on funds or liabilities linked to the original business. He is also seeking compensation for alleged misuse of company assets.
Nick is also asking for Omeros Bros Pty Ltd to be wound up, claiming it is heavily indebted with liabilities exceeding $2.15m, including debts to the ATO and trade creditors.
However, company records also reportedly list director loans of more than $3.1 million attributed to Nick, which he disputes recalling receiving.
In an affidavit, Nick said he founded Omeros Bros in 1989 with his brother, and had remained involved despite delegating operations to his three children John, Sara and Helene after surgery in 2017. He claimed he was excluded from the Isle of Capri plans despite earlier agreeing on the location.
He alleged the new restaurant closely resembles the original business, including its menu, and said he never consented to the use of the Omeros name for the new venue.
The matter is set to return to court on June 10, with the son yet to file a defence.
Source: Courier Mail.
