OKLAHOMA CITY –
The State of Oklahoma is suing the ownership group behind The Lookout Kitchen, which operated restaurants at 6 state parks before closing at the end of September.
In a lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court, the state alleges the restaurant operates breached their contract and were negligent. RPW ENT, LLC and RCC VENTURES, LLC are named as defendants.
According to the filing, the state and operators entered their contract on April 2, 2023. The lawsuit argues that a fire at the Seqouyah State Park restaurant on Dec. 14, 2024 was caused by a restaurant employee improperly throwing away a greasy rag; and that the restaurant operators were responsible for managing and operating the property.
The filing seeks to establish a breach of contract by arguing that the restaurant operators did not maintain a safe environment, nor carry the necessary insurance to repair the damages caused by the fire. The state estimates damages to the facility are more than $4.5 million.
In its second claim, the state argues the restaurant operators were negligent. It estimates its damages from the alleged negligence as $5 million.
“OMES has a responsibility to protect tax dollars and state assets,” a spokesperson for the agency said. “We cannot comment further on pending litigation.”
In response to the lawsuit, the owner of The Lookout Kitchen fired back.
We strongly disavow the lawsuit filed by OMES and reject the allegations of breach of contract and negligence. These claims do not reflect the facts, the conditions under which this facility was provided to us, or the realities of our operations. Fire prevention and suppression issues related to the State-owned facility were outside the scope and responsibility of our company.
We remain confident that once all information is fully reviewed, it will clearly demonstrate where responsibility truly lies. We look forward to working with all relevant entities through the proper process and presenting our side of the story in full.
