Papa John’s exec out pending Panera secrets suit

Panera will likely prevail in its case against Papa John’s in its claim the pizza giant stole a high ranking executive and architect of the digital technology that speeds delivery to consumers, according to a federal judge.

In an Aug. 3 court order, Judge John Ross barred former Panera executive Michael Nettles, at least for now, from working for Louisville-based Papa John’s Pizza.

The lawsuit asserts Papa John's hiring of Nettles violated an industry noncompete agreement. The judge said both companies "target a so-called 'clean ingredient consumer,'" and therefore "are direct competitors in the realm of carryout options for such a consumer base."

“The court is satisfied that Panera is likely to succeed on the merits of several of its claims, including its request for enforcement of the confidentiality and non-competition agreement,” Ross said in the order.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/money/companies/2016/08/13/papa-johns-exec-out-pending-panera-secrets-suit/88673140/