MILLVILLE – A popular catering franchiser is suing a Millville pizza restaurant for alleged trademark infringement and similar use of a brand name.

Seasons Pizza Franchisor Inc. , a catering company based out of Delaware, filed a lawsuit earlier this week in federal court in Camden against 4 Seasons Pizza & Restaurant, based in Millville under the allegations that the use of the “Seasons Pizza” brand name is confusing customers and hurting the company’s hard-earned reputation.

Seasons Pizza had received numerous phone calls from potential customers asking if 4 Seasons Pizza on East Main Street in Millville was associated with the franchise — but they’re not, the lawsuit says.

“The seasons name is a very important asset that we would like to protect,” said a lawyer representing Seasons Pizza, Steve Tiller. “And it represents the high quality food and services that customers receive at our client’s restaurants.”

The lawsuit demands the 4 Seasons Pizza & Restaurant pay the company for damages totaling $75,000 caused by the confusion of the companies’ names. The lawsuit also demands the company change any commercial designs that are “confusingly similar” to the Seasons Pizza designs and logos.

Seasons Pizza Franchisor Inc. has more than 25 restaurants based in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including two locations in Stratford and Cherry Hill. The company was founded in 1986 by brothers Angelo, Dimitri and Yianni Halakosis, known for their “high quality food and services,” the lawsuit says.

The company also offers catering services, and in 2013 Seasons Pizza filed a patent for their signature dish Seasons Pizza Pasta Wings.

Millville-based 4 Seasons Pizza & Restaurant opened in 2014, according to manager Michael Bonanno. They switched ownership in December 2016.

Justin Decker may be reached at [email protected].