Pittsburgh Hot Dog Shop Sinks Teeth Into Name Change

A local shop formerly called Hot Dogma changed its name after a threat from the "Dogma Grill."

Hot Dogma used a word already trademarked.

The settlement ends 17 months of a legal fight with a Miami Beach restaurant that made a federal case out of the Pittsburgh restaurant's name.

Dogma Grill’s attorneys said the two names might confuse hot dog lovers.

The Pittsburgh location decided to settle and change its name to Franktuary.

The 2-year-old business is located downtown in the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Oliver Avenue.

The settlement includes a small, undisclosed financial compensation and an agreement to drop the name Hot Dogma from its signs, Web site and merchandising.

Hot Dogma has 150 days to complete the transformation into Franktuary.

The menu has expanded to include smoothies, chicken wraps, soups and salads.

Before settling on Franktuary, and while they still had pro bono representation, an attorney checked on possible trademark infringements.

Only one restaurant was found: Franktitude, in Miami Beach.

Its second birthday is Wednesday, and free ice cream cones will be offered all day.

To properly bury the name Hot Dogma, a "funeral" is planned for down the road.

A fire sale is planned to sell hooded sweat shirts and T-shirts, which read, "Franks be to God.”