Superiority Burger, the popular East Village restaurant, has made headlines after dropping its managing partner, Ashwin Deshmukh, following accusations of theft from multiple individuals over the years. In a letter to investors, chef Brooks Headley and general manager Sheryl Heefner announced the decision to part ways with Deshmukh and conduct an internal review of the business’s records.
The restaurant has faced legal troubles this year, including lawsuits from an investor who claimed she had not been repaid for a $200,000 loan to Deshmukh, as well as a lawsuit from the restaurant’s builder for unpaid debts. After The New York Times reached out to Deshmukh about the allegations, Superiority Burger and the investor reached a settlement.
While the letter states that Deshmukh is no longer involved in the operation of Superiority Burger, it does not clarify his financial involvement in the restaurant. The letter also expresses confidence that no wrongdoing will be found during the internal review.
The Times article detailed Deshmukh’s professional history, highlighting his use of social connections and social media to build his brand as a nightlife impresario, while facing suspicions of manipulation from partners. One example cited in the article was Deshmukh’s presentation as the owner of Williamsburg Pizza, despite investing only a small amount of money into the chain, much of which came from others.
Deshmukh has denied many of the allegations in the article, without providing specifics, and remains a partner at Jean’s, an exclusive downtown nightclub and restaurant. Mr. Headley and Ms. Heefner have not yet responded to requests for comment on the situation.
