(CN) - Fed-up managers at Whataburger sued a debt collector for punitive damages, claiming it called the restaurant's customer relations line over and over to collect a debt allegedly owed by an employee.
Whataburger Restaurants sued NCO Financial Systems in Bexar County Court, San Antonio. It claims the Pennsylvania-based collector has been calling its phone line at least once a day every day.
The disruptive calls clog the lines and keep Whataburger workers from doing their jobs, the restaurant chain says.
It claims NCO blew off a cease-and-desist letter.
Whataburger, founded in 1950, has 700 outlets across the country, according to its website.
NCO has more then 30,000 employees in 11 countries, making it one of the biggest debt collectors in the country, according to its website.
Whataburger seeks punitive damages for violations of the U.S. Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Texas Debt Collection Act.
It is represented by Court Smith with Crouch Ramey in Dallas.
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