There’s a battle brewing over one of OKC’s biggest pizza… empires.
Thanks to a tip via the Ogle Mole Network, we’ve learned that investors behind Empire Pizza – the NYC-themed pizza chain that’s grown to seven locations across Oklahoma over the past decade – are suing founder, managing partner, and former TLO Show podcast guest Rachel Cope in Oklahoma County Court.
According to a petition filed 8/11/25, two LLCs – Harpo, LLC, and Foster Holdings, LLC – allege Cope has withheld financial records, failed to share profits, threatened to close restaurants if they pushed for transparency, and diverted assets and intellectual property to establish competing restaurants.
The plaintiffs are seeking $75,000+ in damages, a court order to inspect books and records, and an injunction to prevent Cope from closing any Empire restaurants where they hold ownership interests.
If you’re bored, you can read the whole lawsuit on OSCN. It serves as a great reminder of why you should always be cautious when A) investing in a restaurant, or B) accepting investors.