Barrio Tacos locations in Michigan have been sued for alleged wage theft | Eater Detroit

"The Grand Rapids franchise, opened by owner Jacob Hawley in 2022, is included in a federal complaint alleging multiple violations of wage-and-hour laws at three Michigan locations. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the restaurants required workers to give a portion of their tips to managers after shifts—who then redistributed those tips to non-tipped staff—paid tipped employees below the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, calculated overtime using the tip-credit rate rather than the proper minimum wage rate, and failed to maintain accurate records of hours and pay. The Wage and Hour Division is seeking $823,324 in back wages and liquidated damages for 177 workers and assessed $23,904 in civil penalties against the owner and the three franchise locations. The allegations arrive amid broader history for the brand, which began in 2012 and has had prior legal controversy unrelated to these wage claims." - Serena Maria Daniels