What’s up with Papa Keno’s in the Crossroads, Overland Park? New name, menu and lawsuit

The big black and white Papa Keno’s Pizzeria sign is no longer plastered on the outside of this Crossroads building.

Inside the space at 1815 Wyandotte St., instead of the Papa Keno’s menu there’s one for Buffalo State Pizza Co.

So what’s going on?

Philippe Lechevin, co-owner of the Papa Keno’s Crossroads, as well as one in downtown Overland Park, isn’t commenting — and a lawsuit in Johnson County District Court may be the reason.

In late January, Papa Keno’s LLC and Papa Keno’s Franchise Systems LLC filed suit against Lechevin, Steven Robson, Buffalo State Pizza & Co., Ice Box LLC and PKDKC LLC.

The corporate arm is suing for breach of the license agreement and breach of contract. According to the lawsuit, Papa Keno’s licensed the brand and products to Lechevin and Robson, who terminated the agreement on Jan. 28 and changed the restaurants’ social media accounts to Buffalo State Pizza & Co.

But in the lawsuit Papa Keno’s says it owns those social accounts: “Many of the comments and/or reviews specifically reference Papa Keno’s. ... Defendants Ice Box, Lechevin and Robson are causing and will continue to cause harm to the Papa Keno’s business by diluting Papa Keno’s brand and by causing confusion in the market.”

In a phone interview, David Hawley, owner of Papa Keno’s franchise systems, said, “We are disappointed that it is happening and nobody wants to be in this type of situation.”

Hawley declined to comment further because of the pending litigation. He also has Papa Keno’s restaurants in Lawrence and Des Moines. A new location is scheduled to open in south Overland Park in May. Hawley is negotiating to reopen a location in Westport and plans to open more restaurants through franchising.

Meanwhile, Lechevin was still on site in the Crossroads location on Friday, but he declined to comment on the name change. His location in downtown Overland Park also is now going with the Buffalo State Pizza Co. name and menu.

Buffalo State is selling a variety of specialty pizzas by the slice — or in medium, large or extra large sizes — and calzones.

On the menu, the Buffalo Bill has roasted chicken, green onion, blue cheese, banana pepper and buffalo sauce. Le Royale comes with Scimeca ‘s Italian sausage, pepperoni, bacon, green peppers, mushroom, black olives, red onion and extra cheese.

Customers also can build their own pizzas. Also on the menu: sandwiches, including a meatball grinder, chicken popper, and Tuscan turkey with pesto and garlic vinaigrette; several salads; and “Munchies” — bread sticks, fromage dip, Scimeca’s meatball, house-made chocolate chip cookies and “gooey” cinnamon sticks.

This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 12:59 PM.