Owners rename new bar, restaurant due to trademark

By: Ashley Peskoe

Posted: 10/3/08

Yardhouse American Grill & Sports Bar, the restaurant replacing Ecco Qui, has changed its name to Mikey's American Grill & Sports Bar after speaking with representatives from Yard House Inc. to avoid confusion with other companies, according to an e-mail from Jeff Sotland, co-owner of Mikey's American Grill & Sports Bar.

The term "Yard House Restaurants" is a federal trademark, according to the United States Patent and Trademark web site.

"Originally, no one thought there was going to be a problem," Matthew Ray, publicist for Mikey's American Grill & Sports Bar, said.

The name was changed because they were not interested in irritating the organization, according to Ray.

Mikey's was named as a tribute to the Sotland brothers' father, who was also in the restaurant business, Ray said.

Yard House Restaurants has over 20 restaurants in nine different states, according to yardhouse.com.

Steele Platt, CEO of Yard House Restaurants, was not available for comment, according to Jennifer Weerheim, vice president of marketing for Yard House Restaurants.