Lettuce Entertain You sued by former business partner over Joe's Seafood venture

During a friendship that spanned 40 years, Lettuce Entertain You co-founder Richard Melman and restaurateur Gerard Centioli became business partners, expanding iconic restaurants under the company ICON.

But in a lawsuit filed last week in Cook County Circuit Court, Centioli is accusing his former friend of betraying him by fraudulently acquiring interest in Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, effectively cutting Centioli out of his ownership equity.

Chicago-based restaurant operator Lettuce Entertain You and its owners attempted a “corporate coup” and cut the company, now ICONcepts, out of a partnership that started in 1999, according to the lawsuit.

The company's first major venture was expanding Joe's Stone Crab in Miami to other cities. Joe's Chicago location opened in 2000 followed by Las Vegas in 2004 and Washington, D.C., in 2014.

“But in 2025, it became clear that Richard, his son R.J. and their company Lettuce were diverting the financial benefits of the enterprise to themselves, their families and the Lettuce empire,” the lawsuit said.

In April, Richard Melman was said to have fraudulently signed documents transferring ICONcept’s indirect ownership equity in Joe’s Chicago, Las Vegas and Washington, D.C., locations to Lettuce Entertain You.

“Richard Melman, for his part, abandoned a friend of over 40 years, betrayed a business partner, and violated a shared legacy in favor of allowing R.J. to consolidate power, resources and influence for their family's financial gain,” the suit said. “This is a tragic end to a proud tradition of partnership, cuisine, connection and accomplishment.”

R.J. Melman is CEO of Lettuce Entertain You.

ICONcepts alleges fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. It's seeking damages and to invalidate the equity sale documents.

“Lettuce Entertain You is a company that has mentored and employed thousands of the industry’s brightest professionals” Gabriel Gillett, partner at Jenner & Block representing Lettuce, said. “Its continued success is based on a fundamental commitment to operating with the utmost integrity and transparency. They lead by example. While we will not comment on the specifics of this complaint, we believe it lacks merit. The company will vigorously defend this case in court and believes it will prevail.”

Lettuce Entertain You operates over 120 restaurants, including Chicago spots like R.J. Grunts, RPM Restaurants, Aba, Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! and Three Dots and a Dash.