Case Information

On May 24, 2019, we filed a lawsuit in Georgia against The Ridge Great Steaks & Seafood on behalf of a group of former servers. The lawsuit seeks to represent other servers employed by The Ridge in Cumming, Georgia who opt-in and affirmatively join the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges that The Ridge conducted an illegal tip pool, distinctly noting that not all tips were rightfully distributed as a portion of the tips were kept by The Ridge.

The lawsuit further alleges, that as a result of The Ridge’s illegal conduct, The Ridge is prevented from paying it servers using the “tipped minimum wage” and must pay each server who joins the lawsuit the full minimum wage for each hour worked in the past three (3) years. [The Ridge must pay each server who opts-in to the lawsuit $5.10 for each hour worked, which is the difference between the tipped minimum wage ($2.15) and the full minimum wage ($7.25).]

The lawsuit asks the Court to allow the action to proceed collectively on behalf of all current and former servers employed by The Ridge who affirmatively opt-in to join the suit.

The lawsuit seeks recovery of the servers’ unpaid wages at the rate of $5.10 per hour for each hour worked at The Ridge in the past three (3) years plus double this amount as “liquidated damages.” The lawsuit also seeks recovery of the servers’ tips that The Ridge illegally retained. Finally, The Ridge lawsuit seeks recovery of the servers’ attorneys’ fees and costs.

Status Updates

November 22, 2019 – Notices Sent to Class Members

On November 4, 2019, Plaintiffs’ counsel sent the class members the Court-approved Notice and Consent Form. Those who wish to join the lawsuit must sign a Consent Form no later than January 21, 2020. For more information regarding the lawsuit, including how to join, please visit www.theridgelawsuit.com

November 4, 2019 – Court Certifies Class 

On November 4, 2019, the Court conditionally certified a class of “All individuals who earned a subminimum direct wage and contributed any tips to a tip pool while working for The Ridge Great Steaks & Seafood during the past three (3) years.”

The Court authorized Plaintiffs’ counsel to send all class members a court-approved notice regarding the lawsuit and a consent to join the lawsuit through mail, e-mail, and Facebook.

June 28, 2019 – Motion for Conditional Certification of Class

On June 28, 2019, we filed a Motion for Conditional Class Certification, requesting the Court to authorize Plaintiffs’ counsel to notify all potential class members of this lawsuit and of their ability to join the lawsuit.

June 20, 2019 – Answer filed

The Ridge filed an Answer, stating its intention to defend the claims asserted in this lawsuit.

May 24, 2019 – Complaint filed