An open legal dispute has erupted between the retail group Twistcafe Group (Twist) and the well-known gardener Josef Dušátko. The group, which acquired Dušátko's flower shop chain Kytky od Pepy with great fanfare in February last year, is now demanding CZK 10 million in compensation from its former partner and is threatening further lawsuits.
The rift comes at a time when the Twist group, which also includes brands such as Trdlokafe, Bubblify, OXO, and Kofi Kofi, is facing serious economic problems. The holding has recently been closing branches, laying off employees, and several of its subsidiaries are in insolvency. According to available information, the current conflict stems from Dušátko's decision to terminate cooperation and launch his own competing project.
Josef Dušátko remained the face of the concept after selling his chain, ensuring flower deliveries and receiving commissions for each newly opened store. In April, however, he publicly announced his departure and the launch of a new brand called “Kytky kytky jenom kytky” (“Flowers flowers just flowers”). The Twist group interprets this move as a breach of contractual obligations, leading to the current multi-million-crown claims.
Petr Bujnoch, known in the field of debt collection, has also entered the dispute on Josef Dušátko's side. Dušátko commented on Twist's accusations for Hospodářské noviny, with both parties now publicly detailing their business separation for the first time. While Twist insists on financial compensation, the founder of the flower shop sees the situation differently and denies any wrongdoing.
“From the hints, it was clear that the two sides were not parting on good terms, but neither party had engaged in public accusations until now. But now an open legal war has broken out between them.”
The case illustrates a deeper crisis within the Twist group, which is undergoing reorganization. Last year's acquisition was meant to be a pillar of massive domestic expansion, but now the Kytky od Pepy brand has become the subject of a fierce legal dispute.