Dive Brief:
- Chuck E. Cheese is facing four lawsuits over alleged sexual harassment and retaliation in West Virginia, according to a press release from Bailess Law Firm, which represents the plaintiffs.
- Three former workers are suing the chain, alleging a manager sexually harassed them while two of the workers were minors. A former assistant manager alleges the brand retaliated against him for bringing workers’ concerns to upper management, according to complaints filed in West Virginia courts.
- At least one of the suits, all of which pertain to conduct by general manager Ryan Slade, have been in litigation since last year. At that time, Kylie Wright sued the chain over alleged harassment by Slade after Wright reported sexual harassment by another worker. The other suits were filed in February and March.
Dive Insight:
Workplace sexual harassment can be a major issue in the restaurant industry. In this latest case at Chuck E. Cheese, two of the four plaintiffs, Mary Smith and Kylie Wright, were younger than 18 when employed by the chain. Both allege that Slade engaged in grooming, touched them without their consent and made inappropriate sexual comments.
Kelsie Vasquez, who was not a minor when employed by Chuck E. Cheese, alleged that she likewise experienced sexual harassment from Slade.
Ian Cooper, an assistant manager at the location in question, alleged in his lawsuit that Slade inappropriately touched women who worked at the location. Cooper reported this to a district manager, who, according to the complaint, said she would discuss it with Slade.
“Shortly thereafter, Defendant Slade began targeting and treating Plaintiff differently,” the suit alleges. That treatment, including disciplinary warnings, resulted in Cooper’s termination.
Todd Bailess, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in the press release, “Chuck E. Cheese knew about serious safety issues impacting its employees, customers, and the children who visited this restaurant for more than three years, but corporate management failed to act.”
CEC Entertainment, the parent company of Chuck E. Cheese, declined to comment.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued a Taco Bell operator for allegedly allowing a manager to sexually harass workers. Subway is facing a $50 million lawsuit over alleged sexual abuse at a franchised restaurant, and last year a McDonald’s franchisee settled a similar sexual abuse case for $4.35 million.
