EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally said White had to be rescued from his home on Sanibel Island. However, he said he and his wife left in her oldest son’s boat to reach the mainland and that “at no time” did he “impose on anyone to rescue me or my wife.”
A lawsuit by a best-selling Florida author who created the Doc Ford character in his novels against restaurant management company continues into its third month.
And Randy Wayne White ― who in early July 2025 sued HM Restaurant Group LLC, claiming it was “repeatedly browbeating” him about reducing his royalties tied to the Doc Ford brand ― has requested the company produce documentation.
The restaurant company has denied the allegations.
“We are aware of the lawsuit and strongly disagree with the claims being made. HM Restaurant Group has a long-standing reputation for exceptional hospitality and being a trusted company and community partner,” the company said in a statement in July.
What Randy Wayne White is specifically seeking
In a Sept. 10 filing, White asked HM Restaurant Group for “production of all responsive documents within your possession, custody, or control, even if those documents are not within your actual physical possession, but are available upon request or available through an online or other electronic account or software.”
White also seeks all metadata and documents that “are kept in the usual course of business.”
He’s also asking for “all labeling, goods, literature, advertising and promotional materials, and other printed matter for each good and/or service with which the Doc Ford Marks are or are intended to be used by Defendant, whether distributed publicly or not, including, but not limited, to Facebook, Instagram, social media, website, magazines, newspapers, brochures, promotional items and materials, gift cards, and menus.”
In addition, White seeks: retails items with the Doc Ford name; proof of payments made to the restaurant group in relations to a tarpon fishing tournament; and documents or communications “identifying or describing retail items displaying the Doc Ford Marks offered, sold, or distributed by Defendant from January 1, 2022 to present, including, but not limited to, product catalogs, inventory lists, and online advertisements.”
Why is White suing HM Restaurant Group
The 16-page civil suit filed in Lee County Circuit Court alleges three complaints against HM Restaurant Group, saying it breached its contract with White regarding damages and royalties; pertaining to “specific performances”; and regarding damages for use of Doc Ford trademarks.
HM owns Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel Island, Fort Myers Beach and two restaurants in the St. Petersburg area. It also owns Dixie Fish Co. at Fort Myers Beach.
However, as White pointed out in a Sept. 18 email to the Naples Daily News, HM owns or leases “the buildings in which those restaurants are located, but I own the federal trademark and franchise. They DO NOT own the Doc Ford trademark and franchise.”
White entered into an agreement to create Doc Ford’s restaurant in 2003 with Island House Restaurant Limited Partnership, the suit said.
Island House Restaurant Limited Partnership dissolved in 2015 and HM Restaurant Group took over, the suit said.
When business relationship changed, White alleges
In early 2022, HM Restaurant Group approached White requesting a new agreement relative to the operation of the Doc Ford restaurants, the suit said.
However, HM Restaurant Group “not only requested a reduction of royalties payable to Mr. White but also sought to procure from Mr. White rights under the Doc Ford IP well beyond those necessary to operate a restaurant chain including 30% ownership of all Mr. White’s book copyrights, film/movie rights, and audiobook rights past, present and future in perpetuity,” the suit alleged.
Who is Randy Wayne White
White’s 28th novel, “Tomlinson’s Wake,” features Doc Ford, a marine biologist and ex-NSA agent and “his perilous journey into Mesoamerica after a world-shattering earthquake threatens his squad’s safety ― and all of their lives,” White’s website randywaynewhite.com said.
His 27th novel, “One Deadly Eye,” published in 2024 and is about a hurricane tearing through Sanibel, a serial killer and more.
Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel and Captiva islands on Sept. 28, 2022. White said he and his wife, Wendy Webb, did not have to be rescued during the hurricane.
“Quite the opposite (is true.) I was able to use my FCC Ham radio license to contact Coast Guard helicopters and have other people who needed to be rescued evacuated,” White said in the Sept. 17 email.
“At no time did I impose on anyone to rescue me or my wife. My oldest son, Lee White, and a couple of friends arrived the evening after the hurricane in Lee’s boat and took us to the mainland, but that certainly does not constitute a rescue. In point of fact, I spent the next four or five days coordinating radio comms out of Punta Rassa for an organization called Operation Dynamo who did rescue many people in the week following the hurricane.”
More of restaurant group’s response
“We are confident in our position and look forward to the opportunity for a fair and thorough review of the facts,” HM said at the end of its July response.
“In the meantime, we remain focused on what we do best, which is connecting people with great food and delivering legendary guest experiences.”
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. Contact him at dosborn@gannett.com and follow him on Instagram @lacrossewriter.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Randy Wayne White suit: Latest with Doc Ford author’s case against SWFL restaurant group
Reporting by Dave Osborn, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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