Superiority Burger, a popular East Village restaurant, has made headlines after dropping its managing partner, Ashwin Deshmukh, following accusations of theft. The New York Times recently published a story detailing a network of people who have accused Mr. Deshmukh of stealing from them over the years.
In a letter to investors, Brooks Headley, the chef at Superiority Burger, and Sheryl Heefner, the general manager, announced that they had parted ways with Mr. Deshmukh and would conduct an internal review of the business’s records. The restaurant has been sued three times this year, including suits from an investor who claimed she had not been repaid for a loan and from the restaurant’s builder for unpaid debts.
The letter stated that Mr. Deshmukh is no longer involved in the operation of Superiority Burger, but it did not address whether he is still financially involved in the restaurant. The letter also expressed confidence that no wrongdoing would be found in the internal review.
A recent New York Times article detailed Mr. Deshmukh’s professional history, highlighting allegations of manipulation and deception. Despite denying many of the allegations in the article, Mr. Deshmukh remains a partner at Jean’s, an exclusive downtown nightclub and restaurant.
The news of Superiority Burger’s decision to part ways with Mr. Deshmukh has sparked interest and concern among patrons and investors alike. The restaurant’s future direction and any potential legal implications remain to be seen as the internal review progresses.
