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5mo ago

San Francisco's House of Prime Rib Faces New Class Action Lawsuit Over Labor Practices

The iconic steakhouse is accused of denying breaks, enforcing off-the-clock work, and pressuring employees to waive meal periods.

Patrons line up outside of the House of Prime Rib in San Francisco. A former server has sued the restaurant, alleging labor violations.
FILE: Joseph Betz, the owner of SF’s House of Prime Rib, poses for a photo in the meat locker of the restaurant in San Francisco on July 6, 2022. A former House of Prime Rib employee has filed a lawsuit against the famed San Francisco steakhouse on allegations of unpaid wages. 
FILE: A former House of Prime Rib employee has filed a lawsuit against the famed San Francisco steakhouse on allegations of unpaid wages. 
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Overview

  • Former server Shawn Hyatt filed a class action lawsuit on December 2, alleging labor violations at House of Prime Rib, including denying staff mandated breaks and meal periods.
  • The lawsuit claims management discouraged rest breaks, monitored employees with cameras to prevent off-site meals, and required staff to work off the clock while waiting for tip calculations.
  • Employees were allegedly asked to sign meal waivers under misleading claims about California labor laws, with threats of reduced hours or loss of tips if they took breaks.
  • House of Prime Rib owner Joe Betz and his son Steven Betz, named in the lawsuit, deny the allegations and plan to defend against the claims.
  • This is the second such lawsuit against the restaurant in 18 months, following a previous case settled in October 2024 for undisclosed terms.