Television personality Guy Fieri is currently embroiled in a legal battle, as he has been taken to court by Kevin Cooper, a former winner on one of his Food Network shows.
Kevin Cooper, who emerged victorious on the show Guys’ Chance of a Lifetime in 2022, which rewarded him with the opportunity to manage a Chicken Guy franchise, has filed a lawsuit against Fieri citing breach of contract, according to a report by Philly Mag.
Cooper has initiated a federal lawsuit against Fieri and his business entities, claiming that his prize included various guarantees: a $100,000 salary for the first year, a franchise fee waiver, $10,000 towards legal fees, support with operational costs if they exceed the first year’s revenue, and assistance with setting up the franchise at the King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia.
The Chicken Guy outlet that Cooper was awarded opened in February 2024 and shut down by the end of February 2025. In his legal claim, Cooper alleges that the venture went $69,000 over budget, including $39,000 in sales taxes owed to Pennsylvania. He contends that neither these overages nor the promised $100,000 salary were compensated by the defendants, despite his multiple requests.
Cooper is now seeking a legal judgment that would cover both the unpaid minimum salary and the operational overages.
While Cooper has kept relatively quiet about the lawsuit, he shared a cryptic video on Instagram on June 29 hinting at his grievances. In the video, he expressed his reticence in speaking out, fearing that he would be seen as merely blaming others due to his experiences. He mentioned, “There were some moments where I didn’t even want to speak my truth, because the version of the God that was handed down by my ancestors, wasn’t the version that I came to know in my quiet space.” He continued, “So for a long time I held back because I didn’t want to become just another Black man pushing the blame because I was done dirty.”
In a poignant Instagram caption, he stated, “Been quiet long enough. This isn’t the start of a trend. It’s the start of the truth. Watch what God does next,” adding that his post is about “reclaiming my truth and walking in purpose. I’m not here to rewrite the past— just to grow beyond it. If it’s not for you, that’s cool. Still love.”
As for Fieri, he has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. His most recent social media posts feature pictures from a family trip to Italy, including a stop at the famous The Godfather filming site, Castello degli Schiavi in Sicily. He humorously captioned his post with a quote from the movie, saying, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” accompanied by emojis suggesting a knuckle sandwich.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
