Law & Justice
California Restaurant Wins $60,391 Jury Award After Dispute Over Masters Catering Bill
A California restaurant that supplied meals for a golfer’s family during the Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia, won a jury award of $60,391 after the family disputed a $74,960 invoice. The restaurant, Hanna Carroll Restaurant Group LLC, had agreed to provide breakfast, dinner and a full bar for five days to a family that expected 20 to 30 guests per meal. No written contract or price discussion occurred. After the family left two days early, the restaurant sent an invoice that included a $5,000 discount. The family challenged the amount, and the restaurant added another $5,000 for time and delay, raising the bill to $84,960, which the family refused to pay.
The restaurant sued for breach of contract and asked the family to admit that a catering agreement existed for all seven days of the Masters. The family denied the request, arguing it was vague and ambiguous. At trial, the family admitted that the restaurant had provided food and services but argued that the value was lower than the amount charged. The jury ruled in favor of the restaurant, awarding $60,391.
The restaurant then sought $81,875 in attorney fees under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 2033.420, which allows recovery of reasonable expenses when an opposing party unreasonably refuses to admit a fact that is later proved. The appeals court held that the restaurant had not properly identified which legal expenses were specifically related to proving the existence of the catering contract. It found that the main issue at trial was the value of the services, and proving the contract required relatively little time and effort. The court therefore upheld the lower court’s award of only $1,950 in additional legal fees.
The restaurant also challenged a $25,741.20 claim for court reporter costs. The appeals court rejected the claim, stating the restaurant failed to provide sufficient evidence that the transcript expenses were for transcripts ordered by the court or otherwise recoverable under California law, and it did not produce the underlying invoices.
In its October 29, 2026 ruling, the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, affirmed the lower court’s decisions and directed each side to bear its own appeal costs. The restaurant retains the $60,391 jury award and the $1,950 in legal fees, but no additional recovery beyond that amount. The case underscores the importance of documenting contract terms and providing a detailed expense breakdown when seeking reimbursement in litigation.