The case seeks nearly $1.9 million in back wages and damages for 26 workers.

Investigators found that servers were paid only in tips, while cooks received a fixed cash salary regardless of hours worked, violating both minimum wage and overtime laws. These infractions occurred between December 2021 and July 2024.

The Department is pursuing $935,920 in back wages, an equal amount in liquidated damages, and a civil penalty of $35,672 for willful violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

“Paying servers only in tips and giving cooks a set wage without regard to hours worked flagrantly breaks federal wage laws,” said Noah Lee, Wage and Hour District Director in St. Louis. “Unfortunately, wage violations in the food service industry are common, with workers often unaware of their rights or hesitant to question their pay.”