2 Chainz is reportedly heading to court over an investment deal gone wrong.
The Express Tribune reports that 2 Chainz, also known as Tauheed K. Epps, invested in Pineapple Express Hollywood, a dispensary in Los Angeles, CA, in 2021.
A lawsuit filed by Antimatter Holdings on Aug. 2, 2024, states that 2 Chainz became familiar with the business through Snoop Dogg’s tour manager, Damien Roderick, according to SFGATE. That planted the seeds for a $1.5 million investment in the dispensary, which is owned by Pineapple Ventures, Inc. and PNPLXPRESS, Inc.
The store initially planned to open in 2021. However, several challenges allegedly prevented it from doing so, and its doors opened in March 2022, per The Express Tribune.
The rapper was notified of multiple delays and was offered the chance to withdraw 110% of his investment with a 30-day notice. However, when 2 Chainz decided to withdraw in May 2022, the company allegedly failed to uphold its promise, the lawsuit mentioned.
It also stated that 2 Chainz reached out to the shop’s co-founder Vincent Zadeh by text in December 2022 and was told that the agreement to return the $1.5 million investment was no longer going to be fulfilled, leading to the lawsuit.
Matthew Feinstein, co-founder of Pineapple Express, claimed the rapper was not owed money from the deal. SFGATE stated that Feinstein provided an email statement refuting 2 Chainz’s claim, with plans to manage the lawsuit in arbitration. In the meantime, Pineapple Express Hollywood, which is currently closed, intends to reopen to the public in September 2024.
While this business deal appears to have gone left for 2 Chainz, he has some others under his belt that are going strong. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, he and Mychel “Snoop” Dillard co-own Atlanta, GA-based Esco Restaurant and Tapas, which established its first franchise location in Columbus, OH, in 2022.
“It’s more lounge with great food and great atmosphere. Of course, we have the best drinks in town,” 2 Chainz told Franchise Times.
In January 2024, he added another franchise location to his portfolio in Dallas, TX, led by veteran Apiphany Fuller, per The Dallas Morning News.
His portfolio also includes Smoothie King. He is now a franchisee along with his friend Philip Jones, and they have a location in the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA.
“As we continue to expand, we’re thrilled to welcome 2 Chainz to our franchisee family—not to mention in collaboration with one of our great partners in the Atlanta Hawks,” said Wan Kim, Smoothie King CEO, in a news release. “2 Chainz’s passion for health and wellness aligns perfectly with our mission to inspire a healthy and active lifestyle; that coupled with his entrepreneurial spirit, embodies the essence of our brand and makes this a perfect match.”
