Salt Bae Lawsuit Alleges Wage Theft and Tip Pooling in Miami Restaurant | Eater
"A Miami outpost of the celebrity-backed steakhouse is facing a collective-action lawsuit after a server, Melissa Compere, sued in federal court alleging illegal tip pooling and failure to pay minimum wage and overtime. She claims the restaurant combined guest tips and a separately listed service charge into a pool that was shared with non-tipped employees — including coffee makers, sushi makers, and management — and that the distribution left tipped staff below Florida's minimum-wage requirements; a judge has ruled that other tipped employees may join the case, potentially expanding it to as many as 200 workers. The dispute hinges on Florida law allowing a flat service fee to be used to recoup certain losses but requiring that money listed as tips go directly to employees whose pay depends on gratuities. The location is part of a chain fronted by Turkish butcher Nusret Gökçe (Salt Bae), whose theatrical celebrity persona and prior controversies — from high-profile clientele and earlier tip-related litigation to reported health-code concerns and political flashpoints — have shadowed the restaurants; the chain is owned by billionaire Ferit Sahenk, who is reportedly considering large asset sales, adding potential financial uncertainty." - Jenny G. Zhang
