By Blake Brittain
(Reuters) -Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc sued fast-casual dining rival Sweetgreen Inc in California federal court Tuesday, claiming the salad chain’s new “Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl” violates its trademark rights.
Chipotle’s lawsuit said Sweetgreen’s “very similar and directly competitive” bowl is an attempt to capitalize on the Chipotle brand and likely to confuse consumers.
Sweetgreen said in a statement that it was aware of the lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation. The company’s stock price was down more than 11% early on Wednesday afternoon.
Chipotle chief corporate affairs officer Laurie Schalow said in a statement that the company will “take appropriate actions whenever necessary” to protect its trademarks.
Sweetgreen announced the bowl in a March 30 press release, describing it as “the latest iteration of Sweetgreen’s menu innovation strategy, as the brand…
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