Hamburger Hamlet Being Sued by Shareholder

Hamburger Hamlet Restaurants Inc. in Sherman Oaks said that the company and some of its present and former executives and directors have been sued by a shareholder who alleges the defendants violated certain securities laws by concealing adverse information about the company and making false and misleading statements.

The lawsuit, filed on March 29 in U. S. District Court in Los Angeles by Mark Pfeifer, seeks class action status. It asks for an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys fees and “equitable relief to preserve assets,” Hamburger Hamlet said.

The company and the other defendants deny the allegations, Hamburger Hamlet said in a statement, and “intend to aggressively oppose the suit.”

Hamburger Hamlet, whose earnings have fallen because of the weak local economy, owns and operates 35 restaurants, most in Southern California.