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

Shari's Cafe & Pies is currently embroiled in two significant class-action lawsuits in Oregon and Washington, reflecting serious allegations against the restaurant chain. The Oregon lawsuit, initiated in November, claims that over 50 employees were abruptly terminated without the legally mandated 60 days' notice, violating the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN). This sudden closure is reportedly linked to the company’s failure to pay debts, including substantial amounts owed to the Oregon Lottery for gaming machines. Meanwhile, the Washington lawsuit accuses Shari's of not adhering to wage transparency regulations by failing to include salary and benefits information in job postings, affecting job applicants since January 2023. Both lawsuits underscore the significant impact on former employees and applicants due to Shari's financial instability and operational challenges.

As the company struggles with a diminishing number of locations, these legal actions raise critical questions about its future viability. The outcomes of these cases could have substantial financial implications for Shari's, and with ongoing scrutiny from both the legal system and the public, the chain's legacy in the Pacific Northwest is at a pivotal moment.