The restaurant chain founded by “Boogie Nights” actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul is at the center of the A&E reality series “Wahlburgers”.
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The ex-employees who filed the class-action suit in NY federal court Thursday previously worked at a Wahlburgers location in Brooklyn.
In the documents obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the plaintiffs allege the brothers’ Coney Island, New York franchise has been “rampant with wage theft and violations of federal and state labor law” since it opened a year ago (15).
The suit cites a Donnie Wahlberg-hosted party in March for the CBS show “Blue Bloods” where workers were informed they earned a $3,000 gratuity – which they never received.
The lawsuit claims that after an August 2016 party, one of the plaintiffs ‘reported to Donnie Wahlberg that there was a lot going on at the restaurant that he needed to know about.
A lawyer for the plaintiffs tells The Hollywood Reporter employees were fed up with the lack of compensation and failed to get attention from company bosses, so they had no other choice but to file the complaint. “Then they complained to Paul in Boston, but they were so frustrated after months and months of hearing nothing”.
The Wahlberg brothers weren’t named as defendants in the lawsuit and the restaurant is not a franchise.
Mark Wahlberg, Wahlburgers executive chef Paul Wahlberg with former Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi showcase some of the chain’s burgers.
The suit demands back wages and unspecified monetary damages.
On its website, Wahlburgers says it is a “working class organization”.
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Wahlburgers said in a statement to The Wrap: ‘Wahlburgers is all about family, and treating people fairly and with respect is at the heart of our brand. “Since this situation came to light today, we’ve been working with [Wahlburgers franchisee] Coney Burgers to better understand the circumstances and help bring this matter to resolution”.
