Usher Files Lawsuit After $700,000 Investment Vanishes in Failed Atlanta Restaurant Deal

Usher is seeking legal relief after claiming he lost nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in a restaurant venture that never advanced beyond the planning stage.

The R&B superstar filed a lawsuit in Fulton County on Nov. 14, alleging that several individuals, including longtime collaborator Bryan-Michael Cox—were part of a business arrangement that collapsed before the proposed Atlanta restaurant ever opened.

Cox, known for co-writing some of Usher’s biggest hits such as “U Got It Bad,” “Burn,” and “Confessions Part II,” is named alongside Keith Thomas, Charles Hughes, and entertainment attorney Alcide Honoré.

According to the suit, Usher advanced the group $700,000 to launch the project, only for the plan to stall indefinitely. The filing states the restaurant “never got off the ground,” leaving Usher with a significant financial loss he now wants fully refunded.

Cox Responds, Says Friendship Remains Untouched

Following the lawsuit’s filing, Cox released a statement asserting he had no role in the business dealings at the center of the dispute.

“My legal team has advised me of a lawsuit involving a company where I am a passive minority shareholder,” Cox said. “I was not a participant in the business transaction and have no involvement in the ongoing legal process. While I am unable to share additional details at this time, I want to affirm that my 27-year friendship with Usher remains fully intact.”

Keith Thomas also came to Cox’s defense, describing him on Instagram as “one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet” and urging the public not to rush to judgment.

“He would never take a dime from anyone,” Thomas wrote. “If anything, he would give you his last.”

While Usher’s team pushes forward in court seeking repayment and accountability, those named in the lawsuit appear determined to separate the legal dispute from long-standing personal relationships. As the case unfolds, the financial fallout—and the impact on the tight-knit circle at the heart of it—will continue to draw attention.