Four Barrel’s Plan to Restructure as ‘The Tide’ Met With Skepticism | Eater SF

"I'm reporting that Four Barrel is facing a discrimination lawsuit alleging founder Jeremy Tooker sexually harassed and assaulted eight women; the suit says co-owners Tal Mor and Jodi Geren were aware of Tooker’s alleged misconduct but ignored complaints and discouraged employees from “creating drama.” In an apology letter they outlined a plan to rename the company The Tide, to give Tooker’s 50 percent stake to employees (he resigned as CEO in November and is divesting that stake), and to eventually divest their own shares so the business becomes 100 percent employee-owned, though no timeline was provided. The proposal drew some applause—Berkeley chef and food writer Samin Nosrat praised it—but sparked broader skepticism and ridicule, with some joking about Tide detergent as a way to “launder” the brand and others, including the owner of Lansing’s Strange Matter Coffee Co., criticizing Mor and Geren for alleged complicity and silence; criticism of Four Barrel and The Tide continues to roll in." - Caleb Pershan