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.
If that seems boring, mix yourself a Brass Monkey and read this instead:
Now here's a little story I got to tell,
about a little pizza chain you know so well,
It started way back in history when
Rachel Cope brought NYC pizza to OKC…
The shop grew fast like Paul Revere
with new locations popping up here and there
They had great pie, a cool little vibe and then
the pandemic shot sales to the sky…
The investors were happy, stacking up the cheese,
slices, success – it all seemed a breeze!
But then things got weird, competing concepts appeared,
And Rachel kept the dough, or so it’s feared.
No lie! I’ve been waiting my whole life for the opportunity to incorporate Paul Revere into a narrative, and I’d like to thank Rachel and her disgruntled investors for finally giving me that opportunity. You’re the real MVPs!
Anyway, I have no clue if the claims and accusations made against Rachel have any merit.
I’ve also always thought it’s weird that Empire has different concepts, but I don't know if any of it is related. I also know that Rachel – in recent years – has earned a reputation for not being the easiest to work with, so I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s something to some of the allegations.
Basically, where there’s smoke there’s usually a burning pizza in the oven!
That being said, I’m also not prepared to say she's rolling around with Alibaba and the 40 thieves quiet yet.
Although she can come off as a rough and tough No Sleep 'til Brooklyn type, she’s always been nice and kind to me. Sure, that's probably because I’m a handsome, charming man with a large online following, but I like Rachel, trust her, and will really like to see how she and her attorneys respond before making any sweeping judgments.
I would assume you should do the same.
Anyway, we'll continue to cover this saga, and provide updates as they arise.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
