With the opening of De Grillige Kip, Roosendaal has had a new chicken restaurant since the beginning of this year. But operator Nico Lagerweij, who sometimes also goes by the name Klaas, is also a well-known face outside Nispensestraat. Former business partners call him a scammer, and since 2017, denied permits, bankruptcies and lawsuits have followed each other in rapid succession. An overview.
Who is this man, who before ‘De Grillige Kip’ opened its doors already ran at least six other businesses, with varying degrees of success?
2017 – Restaurant with bowling alley Oisterwijk
An Italian restaurant with a bowling alley. The combination is special, but Lagerweij wants to open such a business in Oisterwijk in 2017. Want, because the permit is refused by the mayor. He accuses him of ‘bad life behavior’, such as driving under the influence and bankruptcy fraud. All ‘old cows’, according to Lagerweij. The owner of the building, who said at the time that he still received money from Lagerweij, was able to look for another operator.
2020 – Toti Italy, Beer ‘n Steak, Adriatico Roosendaal
In 2020, Lagerweij will register the restaurant Toti Italy Roosendaal with the Chamber of Commerce. Remarkable: five months later the company was suddenly transferred into his wife’s name. “Isn’t that allowed?” Lagerweij asks Omroep Brabant.
Of course you can. And it turns out not to be a stupid move, because at the beginning of October two other Lagerweij restaurants, Beer ‘n Steak and Adriatico, have to close, again due to the ‘bad behavior in life’ of Lagerweij, who once received community service for messing around with a bankruptcy. He had been serving alcohol in Beer ‘n Steak and Adriatico for a year without a permit. His wife does have a ‘clean’ past.
The businesses close their doors at the end of October and are declared bankrupt. In both cases, there was also a significant rent arrears, which, according to Lagerweij, was due to only one thing: the corona crisis. “It was force majeure,” he said.
2021 – Toti Italy Roosendaal
But the corona crisis has not diminished the entrepreneurial spirit. The new restaurant in the name of Lagerweij’s wife will start in January 2021: Toti Italy in Roosendaal. The business was not allowed to open yet, because everything is closed due to corona.
In August there is also a fuss here. The catering industry may (partially) open again at that time, but the previous owner of the building is demanding 11,000 euros from Lagerweij. A loan that he refuses to repay, according to court documents. The judge sides with the plaintiff and Lagerweij must pay.
2022/2023 – Toti Italy Hoeven
There’s no reason to take it easy. In March 2022 (most corona rules have now disappeared), a second Toti Italy branch will be registered, this time in Hoeven. Barely a year later, the business opens its doors, again with Lagerweij’s wife as the formal owner.
But things are not going smoothly here either. In May 2023, the judge will again consider rent arrears, this time of eight months. The decision is that the more than 32,000 euros must be repaid. Lagerweij sees it differently: “That case is still ongoing, a substantive procedure has been initiated.”
2024 – The Whimsical Chicken Roosendaal
A new year, new opportunities. Takeaway restaurant De Grillige Kip will open in January in Roosendaal, in the same street as Toti Italy. This time again in the name of Lagerweij himself. Did you manage to get a permit, despite his past? No, the municipality of Roosendaal said when asked. De Grillige Kip is open, but does not have the correct papers. According to Lagerweij, no problem: his son-in-law will run the business and the permit is currently being worked on. It remains to be seen whether Lagerweij’s creditors will come and have a bite to eat soon.
ALSO WORTH READING:
Angry entrepreneurs do not understand that Nico Lagerweij is allowed to start a business again.