Get the truth behind the Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit facts, legal updates and verified details from high-authority sources.
When I first heard someone mention a Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit, I almost brushed it off as another social media rumor. After all, in today’s fast-paced news cycle, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. But once I started digging deeper into court filings, labor law reports and firsthand employee accounts. I realized this story runs much deeper than a viral post.
Content Hints
What Sparked the Texas Roadhouse Class Action Lawsuit?
According to federal filings and employment law sources, the Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit revolves around claims by former and current employees who allege wage and hour violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
The central issue? Whether the company required tipped employees to perform non-tipped work without proper pay, commonly called “side work.” This type of claim has become increasingly common in the restaurant industry, and Texas Roadhouse is just one of several national chains facing similar legal scrutiny.
Some lawsuits also allege that the company did not fairly distribute tips or required servers to share tips with non-tipped employees, such as kitchen staff. A violation of Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines.
Each of these provides access to filings, attorney statements and settlement updates directly from court dockets.
Who Filed the Lawsuit and When?
In 2025, several employees from multiple states joined a collective action under federal labor law, claiming they were not compensated for pre- and post-shift duties. The first major filings trace back to 2023–2024, but consolidation of cases under a multi-state action emerged in early 2025.
Law firms specializing in employment rights and wage theft cases, such as Morgan & Morgan and Leigh Law Firm, have either confirmed representation of former workers or filed related suits across the South and Midwest.
When I spoke with a Kentucky labor attorney, she said something that really stuck out to me:
“It’s not all about big checks, it’s about fairness. The wage gap in restaurants is not about dollars and cents, it’s about respect.”
“This idea effectively articulates why this Texas Roadhouse class action has struck a chord with hospitality employees across the country.
Three Key Takeaways to Date
- Wage Dispute Fundamental: This lawsuit rests on alleged italicto tip violations, or unpaid hours conducting non-tipped work.
- Federal Jurisdiction: filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act, it governs pay for tipped employees.
- Nationwide Reach: Employees across multiple states have opted into or inquired about opting in.
What Section of Jurisdiction Is the Case Based On?
The Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit hinges on Sections 203(m) and 206 of the Fair Labor Standards Act which indicate that employers are required to pay tipped employees at least the federal minimum wage doing non-tipped hourly work exceeding a “reasonable” amount of time.
In 2021 DOL reaffirmed this rule and explained that tipped hourly employees cannot (should not) spend any more than 20% of their time on non-tipped duties without being paid at least the minimum wage.
If Texas Roadhouse is proven to have violated these guidelines, it could owe back pay, liquidated damages, and attorney’s fees to affected workers.
Has Texas Roadhouse Answered the Claims?
In recent court documents filed by Texas Roadhouse are denying any wrong-doing, as they allege that the company is compliant with federal law regarding wages and tipping policies. The company’s lawyers have asserted that the side work for servers, such as cleaning tables, and garnishing foods is non-tipped work directly related to tipped work, thus complying with the DOL’s “80/20” rule.
Although the company has not also made a full public statement outside of the court filings, legal analysts believe Texas Roadhouse desires to quietly resolve the claims, through the process of arbitration, as many large restaurant chains do to reduce reputational repercussions.
What We Know About the Legal Strategy
- Corporate Counsel: Texas Roadhouse has hired well-known employment defense attorneys from law firms that specialize in mitigating class actions.
- Employee Attorneys: Plaintiff attorneys are concentrating on internal scheduling records and POS (point-of-sale system) data to identify patterns of overtime, as well as proving underpayment.
- Court Direction: For several district courts, conditional certification has been granted, allowing conditions to allow for more workers to join the case.
Why Does This Lawsuit Matter to Workers Nationwide?
Having waited tables myself back in college, I understand how important every dollar is when you’re relying on tips to make rent. If a few hours a week are spent rolling silverware or restocking, that can mean the difference between making ends meet or falling short.
The Texas Roadhouse class action is not just the story of one chain, but a piece of a much larger national discussion about the value and protections for tipped workers.
Are There Other Similar Cases?
There are. Restaurant chains including Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, and Chili’s have had class action lawsuits filed against them alleging similar wage claims. Many of those lawsuits were settled for millions of dollars, with businesses committed to changing their existing policies regarding pay.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the DOL Wage Division, wage-and-hour lawsuits in the restaurant industry have increased by 24% since 2020 due to factors such as increased enforcement and employers keeping better records digitally and electronically revealing inconsistencies in payroll.
Recent Legal Developments
- April 2025: A Kentucky district judge approved preliminary discovery requests against Texas Roadhouse for timecard data review.
- May 2025: A motion for conditional certification was granted, allowing servers from multiple states to opt-in.
- June 2025: Mediation discussions began under federal supervision, indicating potential early settlement talks.
What Do Lawyers Say About the Case?
Employment law experts believe that this lawsuit could become a landmark case for how side-work compensation is defined. Attorney Lisa Dunbar, a wage law specialist, commented in a recent interview:
“If the court rules broadly, this could reshape how restaurants across America structure tipped work and scheduling. Texas Roadhouse is just the test case.”
For workers and employers alike, that means this case might set new national precedents for labor classification.
What Can Affected Employees Do Now?
If you’ve worked at Texas Roadhouse between 2020 and 2025, you may be eligible to join the class or file an individual claim. To verify eligibility:
- Visit Justia Class Action Tracker
- Search for “Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit”
- Or contact labor law firms such as Morgan & Morgan or Leigh Law Firm
Always confirm representation through the Florida Bar or State Bar of Texas to ensure legitimacy.
Quick Recap
- Filed Under: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
- Focus: Alleged unpaid side-work and tip pooling violations
- Status: Active litigation (conditional certification granted)
- Scope: Multi-state collective action, potential settlement in 2025
Key Takings
- The Texas Roadhouse class action lawsuit isn’t just about wages.
- It’s about workplace dignity.
- Whether you’re serving steaks or crafting legal briefs, fairness should never be optional.
- For now, the courts will decide if Texas Roadhouse crossed the line between efficiency and exploitation. But whatever the verdict, this case reminds us of America’s service industry.
- The line between hustle and hardship is often just a few unpaid hours wide.
Additional Resource
- Law360 Texas Roadhouse Wage Lawsuit Coverage: Law360 reports on ongoing wage and hour class action cases involving Texas Roadhouse, offering updates on filings, motions, and court certifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
