Israeli Chef Segev Moshe Faces Lawsuit Amid Plans for New York Restaurant

Renowned Israeli chef Segev Moshe is navigating a period of contrasting business developments, facing a significant lawsuit in Israel while preparing to open a new restaurant abroad. His restaurant chain in Israel is being sued for NIS 1.8 million by the real estate company Melisron, which owns Ofer malls, according to a report by TheMarker. The lawsuit, filed at the Magistrate's Court in Kiryat, targets Segev Express and its CEO Yaakov Biton, focusing on the Segev Express restaurant that operated at the Ofer Kiryon mall in Kiryat Bialik.

Melisron alleges that the company began accumulating debts in 2023 for rent, management fees, parking, and electricity consumption. These debts reportedly grew until the restaurant ceased operations, leaving behind unsettled financial obligations. Melisron had a business relationship with Segev's company since March 2016, even providing a NIS 570,000 loan in 2017 for renovations. Rent was calculated at 7% of the restaurant's revenue, with a minimum monthly payment of approximately NIS 40,000, plus management fees.

Attempts to reach a settlement for the accumulated debt, estimated at NIS 1.4 million, were made. Segev's company issued five checks as part of these understandings, though a formal agreement was not signed. However, the first check for NIS 138,000 bounced in December 2025 due to an account freeze. In correspondence, Biton requested the mall manager, Guy Keren, to wait for the freeze to be lifted or to use an existing bank guarantee. After prolonged efforts to collect the payment, Melisron utilized a guarantee of NIS 215,000, which it claims covered only a small portion of the debt.

The difficulties at the Kiryon branch follow other changes in Moshe's restaurant network, including the closure of branches in Kfar Saba and Rishon LeZion, and another lawsuit concerning the Kanion HaZahav branch. The long-standing Ramat Hachayal branch also closed earlier this year. Segev Group currently operates six restaurants, two under the Segev Express brand.

Meanwhile, amidst these domestic challenges, Moshe is pursuing his dream of opening his first fine-dining restaurant in New York City. The restaurant, named Roots 29, will be located in the new Sela V Hotel in Brooklyn's Navy Yard area. It is expected to seat around 140 patrons and will feature modern North African and Middle Eastern cuisine inspired by Moshe's family cooking. The establishment will produce its own bread, pastries, desserts, and ice cream, with Moshe also overseeing the hotel's food and beverage operations. The opening is slated for the coming weeks, and Moshe intends to manage his Israeli operations concurrently with his U.S. venture. He described the move as the fulfillment of a long-held professional dream.

Reports also suggest Moshe is planning a restaurant in Miami, though details are scarce. Moshe stated he has no further information to provide on this matter. The financial claims against Segev Express have not yet been decided by the court. As of the report's publication, neither Segev's company, Biton, nor Moshe had provided a response to TheMarker.