Original "Soup Nazi" out to dominate world

LONDON -- The man who inspired the "Soup Nazi" character on TV's "Seinfeld" is taking his schtick to the world.

Al Yeganeh and his partners plan to open 50 Original SoupMan franchises in Britain during the next year. The company also hopes to open outlets in Germany, Italy and Japan.

Yeganeh's New York takeout restaurant became a tourist attraction after the 1995 "Seinfeld" episode in which Jerry, George, Elaine and Kramer have their soup orders abruptly cut off by a gruff man with a thick mustache.

Employees at the international locations will not yell the character's trademark "No soup for you!" at customers. They will enforce Yeganeh's strict rules, which include, "Have your money ready!" and "Move to the extreme left after ordering!"

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press.