https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/more-french-laundry-workers-allege-222026043.html?shem=aimgspe,

More French Laundry workers allege unpaid labor behind the scenes

Aidin Vaziri

Sun, June 14, 2026 at 3:20 PM PDT

The French Laundry, one of the country's most celebrated restaurants, is facing two new labor complaints in Napa County, adding to a March lawsuit that accused the three-Michelin-starred restaurant of wage and workplace violations.

The civil complaints broadly allege that workers were not properly paid, were denied legally required meal and rest breaks, received inaccurate wage statements and were required to perform some work off the clock at the Yountville restaurant. 

The Napa Valley Register first reported the new complaints, filed under a California law that allows workers to seek penalties on behalf of the state. In an email to the Register, a representative for Thomas Keller Restaurant Group denied the allegations.

"Our client treats all employees lawfully and in full compliance with all applicable California employment laws and we intend to vigorously defend against these allegations," the representative said in the email.

The three cases, filed in Napa County Superior Court between March and June, were brought by former hourly employees under California's Private Attorneys General Act, or PAGA. 

The newest case was filed June 1 by Tiffany Hogue, who alleges she worked at the French Laundry as a kitchen server from about January to May 2025. 

Hogue's complaint focuses in part on what it calls the restaurant's "family meal" system. It alleges workers were required to take a meal period early in their shifts before service began, that all employees used the same time clock and that lines to clock out cut into their breaks.

The complaint also alleges employees had to change into uniforms during meal breaks, walk back to the restaurant and clock in. At the end of shifts, the complaint says, employees clocked out before walking back to a locker room to change out of their uniforms. The complaint alleges that time should have been paid.

The French Laundry is facing two new labor complaints in Napa County, adding to a March lawsuit filed by another former employee. The complaints allege wage, break and workplace violations; Thomas Keller Restaurant Group denies wrongdoing. (Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle)

Hogue also alleges employees often worked shifts longer than 10 hours without second meal periods and that once service began, employees were not allowed to take meal or rest breaks.

"Their only focus is on providing the impeccable service, which is both expected and required, at one of the world's finest restaurants," Hogue's complaint says. 

Her complaint also alleges unlawful tip pooling and unpaid "stages," or trial shifts. It says Hogue worked one unpaid trial day and alleges some cooks worked several unpaid days or weeks before being hired.

A second new case was filed May 15 by Jovani Ibarra, who alleges he worked for French Laundry Partners from around October 2021 to August 2023 as a runner and server. 

Ibarra's complaint alleges the company failed to pay employees for all hours worked, including minimum wages, regular wages and overtime. It also alleges workers were not provided the required meal and rest breaks or paid premium wages when breaks were missed.

The first of the three cases was filed March 19 by Elena Flores Beteta, who alleges she worked as a dishwasher at the French Laundry from August 2022 to March 2025. 

Beteta's complaint alleges employees were not paid for all hours worked, were sometimes required to keep working after clocking out and were denied proper meal and rest breaks. It also alleges workers had to wait in line to clock in and out, and that clock-in and clock-out times were adjusted in ways that made breaks appear compliant.

Her complaint also raises concerns about restroom access, lack of a proper break room and hot kitchen conditions. It further alleges workers were not always paid all wages on time, including final wages and unused vacation pay when employment ended.

The French Laundry is listed by the Michelin Guide as a three-star restaurant, its highest rating. The restaurant is part of Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, which operates restaurants in California, Nevada and New York.

PAGA cases are not traditional class-action lawsuits. Business groups have criticized the law as a tool for costly settlement demands, while labor advocates say it helps enforce workplace rules when state regulators lack the resources to investigate every claim. 

A case management conference in Hogue's case is scheduled for Nov. 10, according to Napa County court records.