Some of America’s most popular eateries may be underpaying their wait staff.
That’s the charge in a lawsuit recently filed against Darden Restaurants, purveyor of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and other well-known restaurants. Darden denies the charges, and it appears to be a well-run company with a stock that continues soaring in our current economic malaise.
Miami Attorney David Lichter, who filed the lawsuit against Orlando-based Darden, told me he has heard from hundreds of current and former Darden employees, but his lawsuit has only named two people who no longer work there. Time will tell how widespread this alleged problem is.
All I know is that it’s not difficult to find a disgruntled former waitress – even one from a Darden restaurant. Kim Stahler, who used to work at Red Lobster, was so angry when she left, she started a website called The Stained Apron. It’s a place where wait staff complain about their customers and their managers. She hasn’t updated it in a while, having moved on with her life. But the site is there for posterity and worth a read.
You know what you think of the waiter. But guess what the waiter thinks of you.
Click here to read my column on Marketwatch.com
