Shari’s faces class-action lawsuits in Oregon, Washington | Tacoma News Tribune

Shari's Cafe & Pies is facing serious legal challenges with two class-action lawsuits filed in Oregon and Washington. The Oregon lawsuit, initiated by a former employee, contends that the restaurant chain terminated staff without the legally required 60 days’ notice and failed to pay full final paychecks, impacting at least 50 employees. This lawsuit aims to cover all employees terminated within a three-month window, highlighting the chain's significant layoffs amid financial distress. In Washington, another class-action lawsuit alleges that Shari's violated wage transparency laws by not including salary ranges and benefits in job postings, affecting individuals who applied for jobs during a time when the chain did not comply with new state regulations. As the once-thriving restaurant chain grapples with declining locations and substantial debt, including unpaid obligations to the Oregon Lottery, these lawsuits compound its challenges.

The outcomes of these cases could have lasting implications for Shari's and its remaining workforce, with the restaurant industry closely monitoring these developments as they reflect broader labor issues impacting similar businesses.