A popular Washington burger chain, Dick’s Drive-In, is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging failure to pay overtime and provide required breaks.
SEATTLE — A popular western Washington burger chain is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging the company failed to pay overtime to employees working more than 40 hours, did not provide rest and meal breaks in accordance with Washington state law and failed to pay due wages.
In a Feb. 18, 2026, filing in King County Superior Court, plaintiff Madison Masterson alleges Dick’s Drive-In required employees to miss 10-minute rest breaks and failed to provide a 30-minute meal break when employees worked five hours or more, both of which are required under state law. The complaint alleges Dick’s Drive-In failed to compensate employees for the additional breaks when they were not provided.
A labor law expert with Seattle University School of Law said violations of this nature in the restaurant industry are common.
"I have a group of students who are learning about Labor Employment Law by providing free legal consultations to low wage workers," said Elizabeth Ford, assistant professor at Seattle U. "And so we see all the time, restaurant workers who are on their feet for six, seven, eight solid hours without having a break for rest or for meals."
The former employee also claims the chain failed to pay overtime for hours worked beyond 40 in a week, minimum wage and “all the wages to which they are entitled.” The plaintiff also alleges...
Grace Kang has worked as an attorney specializing in intellectual property and business law for 20 years, the last 16 in the greater Los Angeles area. A graduate of Stanford Law School, she said h...