PHILADELPHIA — Former server for TGI Fridays is collectively suing the restaurant chain for allegations of unpaid wages.
Adam Calabrese, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, filed a lawsuit on Feb. 23 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against TGI Fridays Inc., Sentinel Capital Partners, Triartisan Capital Partners, Carlson Companies, and Doe defendants, citing violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Pennsylvania Minimum Wage Act, and New Hampshire Minimum Wage Law.
According to the complaint, Calabrese was employed by the defendant as a server in their Montgomery Mall location from May 2014 through September 2014. The plaintiff and all other qualifying class members allegedly worked as “tipped employees,” earning $2.83 per hour in Pennsylvania and $3.26 per hour in New Hampshire, irrespective of tips.
The plaintiff claims that he was not notified that the defendant was taking a tip credit in violation of Department of Labor standards. He avers that in doing so, the defendant deliberately failed to pay minimum wage.
Calabrese seeks class action designation, unpaid minimum and overtime wage compensation, liquidated damages, costs, expenses, attorney and expert fees, and a trial by jury. He is represented by Arkady Rayz and Demetri A. Braynin of Kalikhman & Rayz LLC, in Huntingdon Valley, PA; Gerald D. Wells III and Robert Gray of Connolly Wells & Gray LLP in King of Prussia, PA.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00868-JCJ