Kro Wins Battle Over “Kro’s Nest” Brand?

It appears Olaf Kristoffer "The Kro" Bauer has won the battle to us the “Kro’s Nest” name following the breakdown of his relationship with business partner Yuan Jie, with news this morning that the existing pizza restaurant chain will be changing its name.

Following the spectacular breakdown of Bauer’s relationship with his long-term business partner Yuan Jie back in May, speculation has been rife about Kro’s next move and the fate of the existing restaurant chain. A fortnight ago we broke the news that Kro will soon unveil his new restaurant at San Yuan Qiao, and that he was attempting to claim ownership over the “Kro’s Nest” name in the courts. Over the weekend workers removed the old “Kro’s Nest” sign atop the Gongti branch, and this morning the managers of the old chain contacted The Beijinger about a name change.

The old Kro’s Nest pizza restaurants will be renamed Tube Station Pizza, while the Tube Station Bistro that Kro and Yuan Jie once managed together will be renamed Tube Station Sandwich.

It’s unclear at this stage if the change has been forced by the legal action taken by Bauer, or if Yuan Jie has simply decided to head off legal action by changing the name of the business. In any case, the move now leaves Bauer free to use the “Kro’s Nest” brand at his new restaurant.

Although the main “Kro’s Nest” sign on the roof of the Gongti branch is now gone, as of this morning a small sign bearing the “Kro’s Nest” name and logo on the gate outside the restaurant entrance was still in place.