Jets Barbershop Group LLC has filed a lawsuit against three former employees and their new business, Renegades Barbershop LLC, alleging theft of confidential customer information and unfair competition. The complaint was filed on September 9, 2024, in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania by Jets Barbershop Group LLC against Lauren Lamb, Shayne Kraynyk, Eric Weber, and Renegades Barbershop LLC.
According to the complaint, the individual defendants were employed as barbers/hair stylists at Jet’s Barbershop until September 6, 2024. During their employment, they allegedly accessed and stole a confidential customer database belonging to Jet’s Barbershop. This database contained valuable customer contact information such as names and email addresses. The plaintiff claims that this theft was intended to solicit Jet’s customers for the defendants' new competing business—Renegades Barbershop—which is set to open on September 10, 2024. The new barbershop is located just eight miles away from Jet’s Barbershop in Ross Park Mall.
The complaint includes an email sent by Renegades Barbershop on September 6, 2024, announcing its grand opening and inviting clients of Shayne, Lauren, and Eric to book appointments through their website or app. This email serves as evidence of the alleged theft and use of Jet’s customer list.
Jets Barbershop asserts that the defendants’ actions constitute unfair competition and tortious interference with existing customer relationships. They argue that while employed by Jet’s, the defendants had access to sensitive business information including profit margins, internal cost data, vendor contracts, and business strategies. By using this information for their own benefit in a competing business venture while still employed at Jet’s Barbershop, the defendants breached their duty of loyalty.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court including preliminary and permanent injunctive relief to prevent Renegades Barbershop from operating using stolen customer lists or other confidential information. Additionally, they seek an accounting of all income received from these activities and a constructive trust on all profits earned by the defendants through unfair competition. Furthermore, Jets Barbershop demands reimbursement for all costs and attorney fees associated with obtaining this relief.
Representing Jets Barbershop Group LLC is James T. Tallman from Elliott & Davis P.C., while Judge overseeing this case is yet to be named under Case ID GD No. 24-.