CANTON, Mass. – Michael O’Donovan, former vice president of global research and development for Dunkin’ Brands, has filed a $5 million lawsuit against the company, according to the Boston Globe.
In his suit, the former top executive, who worked for Dunkin’ from May 2004 through July 2007, alleges that the company has violated a separation agreement. O’Donovan claims that Dunkin’ and several Dunkin’ executives have made defamatory remarks that have ruined O’Donovan’s reputation and any hopes for future employment.
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According to the complaint filed in Norfolk Superior Court, negative references from Dunkin’ executives have caused him to lose employment opportunities at numerous companies including Arby’s, Papa John’s and the Back Bay Restaurant Group. In addition, the lawsuit claims that such references have greatly jeopardized a restaurant business project O’Donovan started last March.
The Globe could not reach O’Donovan for contact, but his lawyer, Bruce Norwell, told the newspaper, “There was a confidentiality clause [in the separation agreement], and I don’t want to get into the underlying issues. The complaint is pretty detailed, and at this point I’m not inclined to comment further.”
Andrew Mastrangelo, a spokesman for Dunkin’ Brands, told the Boston Globe that the company had not been served with the lawsuit. “When we are served, we will review it,” said Mastrangelo.
O’Donovan, a European master chef, served the Queen of England prior to working for Dunkin’ Brands. In his time at Dunkin’, he was credited with helping to form “the chain’s culinary dream team,” according to The Globe. He was also responsible for overseeing the makeover of the Dunkin’ menu, and the elimination of transfats from the chain’s doughnuts.
Additional information is available at boston.com.
