Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry sued by former employee

A lawsuit has been filed against a three-Michelin-starred restaurant by a plaintiff alleging the establishment failed to pay her accurate wages and cut her meal breaks short to complete menial tasks.

Established almost five decades ago, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, is renowned for its tasting menus and notable alumni, including Thomas Keller and former Noma head chef René Redzepi.

Founded by the late Sally Schmitt and her husband, Don, the institution achieved three stars in the inaugural 2007 Michelin Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area, and has retained them ever since.

On 19 March, former French Laundry employee Elena Flores Beteta named The French Laundry Restaurant Corporation, French Laundry Partners, LP and KRM, Inc., which does business as the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, as defendants in a lawsuit submitted to Napa County Superior Court.

A lawsuit has been filed against the renowned French Laundry (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

The Plaintiff, who worked as a dishwasher at the US restaurant for 2.5 years between 2022 and 2025, allegedly entered the filing on behalf of herself and ‘fifty current and former aggrieved employees’, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Beteta has used the suit to accuse The French Laundry of failing to dole out wages accurately and consistently for all hours worked, including overtime, as per The Press Democrat.

The former employee alleged that the company: failed to pay minimum wage; had ‘consistently filthy bathrooms situated 10 minutes away from the restaurant; didn’t provide rest breaks, and that ‘no suitable resting facilities’ were available, the publication said.

Instead of a designated breakroom, staff members would allegedly rest against walls or their cars, the filing stated.

The suit also alleged that Beteta was required to cut her meal breaks short to complete tasks, such as emptying rubbish bins, as per The Chronicle.

“Plaintiff was required to work off the clock, work through meal and rest periods without compensation, received pay stubs that failed to accurately reflect her hours and premium wages, and was not paid final wages upon separation,” the complaint read.

The group who runs the establishment has issued a statement (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

“These violations occurred pursuant to uniform policies implemented by defendants across its workforce.”

The Press Democrat reported that Beteta is seeking civil penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act.

It is understood that the amount is to be determined at trial, along with an award of attorneys’ fees.

FOODbible has contacted the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group for comment.

In a statement shared with People, the company said that it ‘only became aware of the lawsuit through the media’.

“The lawsuit is filed by a single employee only. That employee makes a baseless claim that she represents other employees as well. She does not.

“Beyond this one employee, no other employee at the French Laundry has raised any issues about underpayment.”

It added: “The fact is that the French Laundry complies fully with all California employment laws. We look forward to proving that this lawsuit from a single employee has no basis whatsoever.”