OC Janitors Reach $1M Wage Theft Settlement With Cheesecake Factory

IRVINE, CA — A $1 million settlement was reached for 589 janitors who were underpaid while working at eight Cheesecake Factory restaurants in Orange and San Diego counties.

The settlement is the years-long result of an investigation that began in 2016 regarding alleged wage and hour violations at San Diego County Cheesecake Factory restaurants.

Those janitors were employed by companies that were contracted and subcontracted by the Cheesecake Factory, according to the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a statewide watchdog organization that investigates allegations of employment law violations.

According to MCTF, the state Labor Commissioner's Office found workers were often logging up to 10 hours of unpaid overtime every week, and some worked without proper meal or rest breaks.

Naxhili Perez, who previously worked at a Cheesecake Factory restaurant in San Diego, said in a statement, "Many companies think they can hire a contractor and avoid responsibility, but they cannot. If the law is being broken inside your company, you are responsible. Now the Cheesecake Factory understands there are no shortcuts when it comes to workers' rights."

The Cheesecake Factory restaurants that were part of the investigation were located at:

• Brea Mall Way, Brea
• Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine
• Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach
• Friars Road, San Diego
• Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach
• The Shops at Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo
• Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido
• Harbor Drive, San Diego