Texas de Brazil Sued for Tip Credit Violations

The Yonkers and Manhattan locations of Texas de Brazil have been sued by its waiters for including non-service employees in the tip pool at the restaurants. The class action lawsuit filed in New York federal court by attorneys for the workers, alleges that the Brazilian Steakhouse should not be entitled to take a tip credit because it permitted non-tipped, ineligible employees to share in the tip-pool. According to the waiters’ lawsuit, front of the house employees were required to share their tips with polishers, who polished dishes and did not serve, and were not visible to the patrons of the restaurant. Lawyers for the restaurant workers seek backpay, return of tips, attorneys’ fees, and other damages on account of Texas de Brazil’s violations of the restaurant workers’ rights.