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'It's unfortunate': Legal battle brewing over Mister Sizzles, could close all restaurants

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Co-owners of a popular burger business in Buffalo are in a legal battle that threatens to turn off their grills for good.

If the lawsuit is not resolved by February, Mister Sizzles may have to close.

What's going on here?

  • Half of Mister Sizzles is owned by Casey and Chris Casas, the other half is owned by John Pantalena.
  • Pantalena is suing the Casas, claiming mismanagement and breaches of contract.

According to their attorney, the Casas family is being asked to forfeit their weekly salary and health insurance. They say this would be detrimental to their two-year-old son Augie, who has a congenital heart defect.

"Casey said it to me best that her son is more important to her than a hamburger restaurant," said R. Anthony Rupp III, the attorney representing Chris and Casey Casas. "It's unfortunate that we're in the situation we're in."

You can learn more about Augie in the video below and read more here.

'Strong Like Augie': Buffalo family rallying support for boy in critical need of a heart transplant

There were plans to expand and add more Mister Sizzles locations, meantime the newest location in Hamburg has now closed.

"Obviously, the Casas' cannot take care of their children and cannot care for their ailing two-year-old son or pay any of their bills on zero income," said Rupp III. "So, it's pretty much a non-starter."

A hearing will be held on December 9 in front of the New York State Supreme Court for Erie County, which will decide if the Casas' have to take a pay cut.

The Connecticut Street location remains open, the lease is up in February.

7 News reached out to Pantanela for a response and we haven't heard back.