On June 5, 2025, former Taco Bell employees filed a class action lawsuit against MHF Mgmt II LLC, MHF Mgmt LLC, MHF Surf LLC, MHF Ralph LLC, MHF 86 LLC, MHF 79 LLC, MHF 5th Ave LLC, MHF Pitkin LLC, MHF Monticello LLC, MHF Chester LLC, MHF New Windsor LLC, MHF Catskill LLC, and MHF Ellenville LLC (collectively, “MHF Mgmt”), which operate several Taco Bell franchises in New York and New York City. The lawsuit claims that MHF Mgmt violated the New York City Fair Workweek Law by not providing predictable work schedules, adequate notice of schedule changes, and other required protections for fast food workers. Specific issues include not giving a written estimate of work schedules, changing schedules without proper notice or consent, and not paying schedule change premiums. The lawsuit also alleges that fast food workers at these Taco Bell franchises were at times required to work through their unpaid breaks in violation of the New York Labor Law (“NYLL”) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”). Additionally, the Taco Bell employees allege that MHF Mgmt failed to pay spread-of-hours pay, uniform maintenance pay, and call-in pay in violation of the NYLL.

The complaint highlights several instances where employees faced last-minute schedule changes without receiving the required extra pay and instances of “clopening” shifts (i.e. shifts worked by an employee spanning two calendar days and with less than 11 hours between the shift for which the employee may be owed $100 premium). It also claims that MHF Mgmt did not keep proper records of work schedules. The lawsuit also alleges instances in which Taco Bell employees for MHF Mgmt were terminated and/or their hours were reduced without “just cause” and/or written notice. These actions allegedly deprived employees of a predictable work schedule and other benefits required by the Fair Workweek Law.

The fast food workers also allege that they are owed uniform maintenance pay because they were not provided with the sufficient number of uniforms consistent with the average number of days worked by the employee. These actions allegedly entitle employees to weekly uniform maintenance pay under the NYLL.

The former employee is seeking class certification for all affected fast-food workers employed by MHF Mgmt since June 26, 2017. The lawsuit, filed by Dana Cimera at Fitapelli & Schaffer, aims to recover unpaid wages, overtime, spread-of-hours pay, call-in pay, uniform maintenance pay, and unpaid extra pay for schedule changes, compensatory damages, and other relief to make the employees whole. If you worked for this Taco Bell franchise since June 26, 2017, contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

If you work for Taco Bell or a similar company in the fast food industry, make sure you are getting paid for schedule change premiums as required under the Fair Workweek Law. Unfortunately, this industry is notorious for scheduling violations. You can reach our firm, Fitapelli & Schaffer, LLP, for a free and confidential consultation at (212)300-0375 or you can visit our website here for additional helpful information regarding your work rights.

You can also view the filed complaint here.