Salt & Straw sues Ruby Jewel over Tacolate production

Salt & Straw has sued fellow Portland ice cream maker Ruby Jewel, alleging it plans to stop producing the Tacolate before a three-year manufacturing agreement expires in February 2028. The complaint says Salt & Straw invested more than $2 million in custom production equipment and paid Ruby Jewel more than $1.9 million, and alleges Ruby Jewel threatened to halt production unless it received additional compensation. Salt & Straw is seeking more than $1 million in damages and a court order requiring production to continue while it transitions to another manufacturer. The Tacolate, inspired by the discontinued Choco Taco, is sold through Salt & Straw shops and partners including Taco Bell. Ruby Jewel had not filed a court response, and the allegations have not been ruled on.