An applicant for employment, Nicole Yount, filed a lawsuit against Defendant Northwest Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company” or “Defendant”) on behalf of herself and a class of allegedly similarly situated applicants. The lawsuit, Yount v. Northwest Restaurants, Inc., Case No. 23-2-19399-7 SEA (the “Lawsuit” or the “Case”) is currently pending in King County Superior Court. Ms. Yount (the “Plaintiff”) claims in the lawsuit that some of the Company’s job postings for open positions in Washington did not disclose the wage scale or salary range, a general description of benefits, and/or other compensation to be offered to the hired applicant in violation of Washington law.
The Company strongly denies any fault, wrongdoing, or liability. If the Parties had not reached a Settlement, the Company would have continued to vigorously defend against Plaintiff’s claims, including seeking a denial of class certification and a full defense verdict at trial. The Company agreed to this Settlement to avoid the risk, burden, and expense of further litigation, and as a means of making its applicants and employees whole for even any arguable claims relating to the Lawsuit.
The Class Action Settlement includes a total maximum settlement payment by the Company of $2,000,000.
To qualify for a share of this payment and become a Class Member: (A) you must have applied for a job opening in the State of Washington with the Company (either directly or through one of their authorized talent acquisition partners) between January 1, 2023, and August 22, 2024, where the job posting did not disclose the wage scale or salary range, a general description of benefits, and/or other compensation to be offered to the hired applicant for the position; and (B) you must not exclude yourself from the Class Action Settlement in the manner outlined below. Individuals meeting the above qualifications are called “Class Members.”
If you meet the definition of a Class Member as provided above, you do not have to do anything to be eligible to receive a share of the settlement payment.
YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND OPTIONS IN THIS SETTLEMENT | |
DO NOTHING | You will be eligible to get a payment for your share of the Class Action Settlement. (You may need to provide the Settlement Administrator any updated contact information to ensure you receive a payment). You will give up rights relating to the legal claims in this Case. |
ASK TO BE EXCLUDED | Get no payment. This is the only option that allows you to ever be a part of any other lawsuit against the Company with respect to the legal claims in this Case. |
OBJECT | Write to the Court if you do not like the settlement and explain why. If the Settlement is approved, you will still receive a payment and you will give up rights relating to the legal claims in this Case. |
GO TO A HEARING | Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Class Action Settlement. If the Settlement is approved, you will still receive a payment and you will give up rights relating to the legal claims in this Case. |
Upcoming Important Dates
Opt Out Deadline
12/24/2024
Objection Deadline
12/24/2024
Final Approval Hearing
1/17/2025