Industry record, U.S. Labor Department investigations

Accommodation and Food Services Wage and Hour Cases

Benjamin Eghbali, Esq.Legal notes by Benjamin Eghbali, Esq.

Every Wage and Hour Division case closed against California employers in Accommodation and Food Services since 2004: 4,307 cases, $42,888,281 in back wages, newest first.

Every federal wage and hour case closed in California since 2004 and a handful before: 30,596 investigations, 23,910 employers, $472,441,289 in back wages for 335,130 workers.

Wage and hour cases in Accommodation and Food Services at a glance

California employers in Accommodation and Food Services account for 4,307 concluded Wage and Hour Division investigations since 2004, 3,097 of which found violations (72%). Employers agreed to pay $42,888,281 in back wages to 27,237 workers, and $4,724,473 in civil money penalties was assessed. In the last 12 months 22 cases closed with $923,645 in back wages.

All cases, newest first

4,307 cases, page 22 of 44.

EmployerCityCase closedFindingsBack wagesWorkers paidPenalties
Dennys RestaurantReddingOct 30, 20135 violations repeat$4,0934$748
Nosh DelicatessenLa JollaOct 30, 2013no violations found000
Homewood Suites by HIlton
Stonebridge Hospitality Associates, LLC
Garden GroveOct 28, 201332 violations$21,714310
Cheesecakes UnlimitedReddingOct 28, 201311 violations$539100
Mandarin PalaceNapaOct 28, 20131 violation000
Simon's CaterersLos AngelesOct 28, 20131 violation000
La Ke Buena TaqueriaSacramentoOct 28, 20131 violation000
Chinatown RestaurantSan FranciscoOct 26, 20133 violations repeat$4,6392$935
Subway
Subway Sandwich & Salads # 12382
ModestoOct 26, 20137 violations$1,44560
Yen King RestaurantVacavilleOct 25, 20133 violations$5,01220
Green View ThaiLos AngelesOct 25, 2013no violations found000
Gironda's RestaurantReddingOct 24, 20133 violations$16030
Asti Ristorante
Italia Restaurants, Inc.
San DiegoOct 23, 201317 violations$46,384160
The Cork Bar and Grill (Tijera)Los AngelesOct 23, 201333 violations$13,319250
The Cork Bar and Grill RestaurantLos AngelesOct 22, 201365 violations$40,241410
Birreria Pancho VillaOakleyOct 22, 2013no violations found000
Choong Mu RoLos AngelesOct 20, 20137 violations$9,26240
Humphry SlocombeSan FranciscoOct 1, 201311 violations$3,310100
Saks TeriyakiLos AngelesSep 28, 20135 violations$25,94840
Pinoys Best House of SilogLoma LindaSep 23, 20138 violations$9,75030
Noma SushiSanta MonicaSep 22, 201321 violations$16,662210
My Mexican KitchenLos AngelesSep 20, 20131 violation000
Papa John's PizzaSacramentoSep 19, 2013117 violations$28,694150
Vegas Buffet (Hollywood) Inc.Los AngelesSep 18, 20133 violations$7,66020
Lumberjacks RestaurantReddingSep 17, 2013239 violations$24,04070
Original Thai RestaurantNorth HollywoodSep 15, 20136 violations$24,01140
Toomie's Thai CuisineAlamedaSep 15, 20131 violation000
Red Lion Hotel
Red Lion Hotels Corporation
ReddingSep 11, 2013no violations found000
Soccer CafeSan FranciscoAug 31, 2013no violations found000
Westside Pizza
Mighty Titus 411 Corp
ReddingAug 30, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleySan DiegoAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleySan DiegoAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleyCarlsbadAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleySan DiegoAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleyChula VistaAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleySan DiegoAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleySan DiegoAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleyIrvineAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Luna Grill - Mission ValleyLake ForestAug 27, 2013no violations found000
Mendoza Restaurant-Monterey
Miguel Gallegos Cardensas & Maria G. Betancou
San JoseAug 24, 20138 violations$14,80870
Mendoza Restaurant-WillowSan JoseAug 24, 20132 violations$4,09510
Upper Crust PizzaReddingAug 22, 20131 violation000
La Quinta Inn
High Sierra Hospitality LLC
BishopAug 20, 201318 violations$10,591170
Senor FishLos AngelesAug 20, 20133 violations repeat$1221$468
Clearie's Restaurant & LoungeReddingAug 20, 20132 violations$2610
599 Thai CafeSonomaAug 19, 2013no violations found000
KFC
No 184, Inc
Union CityAug 17, 201322 violations$7410
Sushi IchibanMorgan HillAug 16, 20139 violations$24,35980
Travelodge Duarte InnDuarteAug 15, 20132 violations repeat$5,2131$308
Blueberry Hill Restaurants, Inc.Signal HillAug 9, 201319 violations repeat$96,29218$5,544
Blackstone Consulting Inc.Los AngelesAug 6, 2013326 violations$14,3851390
Marie Callender's Restaurant and BakeryCitrus HeightsAug 6, 2013no violations found000
Point Dume RestaurantLos AngelesAug 3, 20133 violations$2,33410
The Englander Sports Pub and RestaurantSan LeandroAug 2, 20137 violations repeat$40,2437$2,618
The Vine Wine and TapasSan LeandroAug 2, 20132 violations$1,62010
Zindagi Indian BistroDavisAug 2, 2013no violations found000
Subway SandwichTurlockAug 1, 20137 violations$7,44770
New Hong Kong Lounge ISan FranciscoAug 1, 2013no violations found000
Shari's Restaurant- Red BluffRed BluffAug 1, 2013no violations found000
JLQ ConcessionsSangerAug 1, 2013no violations found000
Bo's Barbecue & CateringLafayetteJul 30, 20133 violations$13,79610
O Dae San RestaurantLos AngelesJul 28, 20133 violations$75620
ThaiChiPinoSacramentoJul 24, 20131 violation$2310
Ploughman's RestaurantSan LeandroJul 23, 20134 violations repeat$21,52240
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargRancho Santa MargaritaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan ClementeJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan MarcosJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSanteeJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSeal BeachJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargTemeculaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargTustinJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargCarlsbadJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargAliso ViejoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargBreaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargCarlsbadJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargChula VistaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargCosta MesaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargFoothill RanchJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargFullertonJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargHuntington BeachJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargIrvineJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargIrvineJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargLa JollaJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargLake ForestJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargSan DiegoJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargNewport BeachJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargOceansideJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Daphne's California Greek - Rancho Santa MargPowayJul 23, 2013no violations found000
Ramada Inn Olive TreeSan Luis ObispoJul 22, 20136 violations$1382$2,150
Pete's Cafe and BarLos AngelesJul 21, 20133 violations$2,01220
Sachi Teriyaki HouseLos AngelesJul 15, 2013no violations found000
Asakuma
Tobius Company Limited
Beverly HillsJul 12, 2013no violations found000
OSHA THAI CAFESan FranciscoJul 12, 20131 violation000
Mazatlan GrillReddingJul 11, 201350 violations repeat$2,04431$5,797
Toi on SunsetLos AngelesJul 10, 2013no violations found000

Largest back-wage records in Accommodation and Food Services

EmployerCasesBack wagesWorkers paidLatest
CLP Skill Trade Solution Inc.1$1,804,0170Sep 26, 2014
TRES HERMANAS1$1,003,57039Dec 5, 2019
Ocha Classic1$825,77583Nov 1, 2020
Subway65$542,707290Sep 16, 2024
A-Chau Sandwhich and Deli1$500,2566Jul 13, 2025
TKB Bakery & Deli1$476,228136Sep 29, 2025
La Estrella Tacos & Seafood2$412,203102Dec 8, 2022
Mountain Mike's Pizza15$375,92593Aug 15, 2024
Jack in the Bo50$354,169262Aug 23, 2019
Domino's Pizza11$299,960144Oct 1, 2023
Lucky River Restaurant1$285,7328Mar 10, 2014
Food Services Inc of Gainesville (FSIG)1$284,646149Jul 30, 2019
No 1 Buffet2$281,96038Aug 15, 2024
Taco Bell of America, LLC1$265,7471,073Apr 19, 2016
OSHA THAI RESTAURANT3$264,27764Dec 31, 2013
Mr. You Express Chinese Food1$243,23412May 3, 2025
Chefs Express Chinese Cuisine Inc.1$241,06553Jan 15, 2020
Crepevine Restaurant (Burlingame)5$234,637114Dec 15, 2021
Peony Restaurant, LP. DBA Cafe 881$233,37087Mar 14, 2011
El Favorito Taqueria1$228,63964Jan 2, 2022

By year closed

YearCasesWith violationsBack wagesWorkers paid
20261313$366,341159
20256047$1,785,425497
202410883$1,389,6791,142
2023171121$2,031,2661,285
202211393$1,917,3301,080
202110884$1,816,2781,273
2020172147$2,679,7261,843
2019215171$2,707,5841,181
2018156115$1,380,185743
2017391262$3,020,9541,311
201610881$1,217,2791,672
2015228163$1,934,4551,300
2014224179$4,195,1431,531
2013293214$2,592,7751,569
2012505340$3,110,9252,418
2011202148$2,271,5521,248
2010139103$1,368,935753
2009137104$1,010,951753
2008180100$642,851634
2007189124$755,299922
2006197135$1,475,5021,126
2005197148$1,994,2011,468
2004158104$907,2971,121

Your rights in this industry

The federal file stops at $7.25 and weekly overtime. California workers in this industry are owed the state minimum wage of $16.90 in 2026 or the higher local rate, overtime after 8 hours in a day, an hour of pay for each missed meal or rest period, and up to 30 days of wages when final pay is late. Claims go to the Labor Commissioner or to Superior Court, three years back, four under the Unfair Competition Law. Free, confidential review: (800) 371-3088.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division enforcement database, California cases through Sep 6, 2026. Back to the wage theft tracker.

About this data: Cases come from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division enforcement database (WHD compliance actions concluded since fiscal year 2005, California employers only), published by the Department of Labor and reloaded here every month. "Back wages" are amounts the employer agreed to pay at the close of the investigation; "penalties" are civil money penalties assessed. An investigation that found no violation is listed as such. The database does not include California Labor Commissioner cases or private lawsuits. This page is general information, not legal advice about your situation.

Talk to a California employment lawyer today.

Free, confidential consultation. We represent employees only, never employers.