As owner of Hecky Powell, Inc. and Hecky's Barbecue of Evanston, I would like to make absolutely clear, in light of the unconscionable health code violations reported in the August 13th, 2008 edition of the Chicago Sun-Times and by CBS News Channel 2, that Hecky's of Chicago is in no way owned or operated by Hecky Powell, Inc.

Hecky's of Chicago is a restaurant run by Flash In the Pan, Inc., a company owned and operated by Bijan “Brian” Ghofrani and Michael Koertgen, Jr.

Hecky Powell, Inc., and Hecky's Barbecue had licensed the “Hecky's” trademark to Flash in the Pan, Inc., but are in no other way associated with Hecky's of Chicago. Hecky Powell, Inc. has been attempting to revoke Flash in the Pan's license to the “Hecky's” trademark due to documented violations of the licensing agreement.

For those of us at Hecky Powell, Inc. and Hecky's Barbecue, food safety and sanitation is always a top priority. If I open a new Chicago branch of Hecky's Barbecue, I will personally oversee and manage the location. Furthermore, my heartfelt apologies go out to the people of Chicago for entrusting my name to these individuals.

I am open to discuss the situation with any of our customers; please contact me at (847) 492-1182 if you have any questions.

Hecky Powell

Hecky Powell, Inc.

1902 Green Bay Road

Evanston, IL 60201