A former employee has filed a class action lawsuit against a California-based café, alleging widespread labor violations. On November 14, 2025, Adela Arroyo Acosta filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, against JH Morin Enterprises, Inc., doing business as Susie’s Country Oaks Café. The lawsuit accuses the company of failing to pay minimum wages and provide legally mandated breaks among other labor code violations.
According to the complaint, Acosta and other employees were systematically denied their rights under California labor laws while working at Susie’s Country Oaks Café. The plaintiff claims that she and her colleagues were not paid minimum wages for all hours worked and were not provided with required rest and meal breaks. “Defendants’ insistence on strictly monitoring and curtailing labor costs resulted in illegal and highly regimented circumstances,” states the complaint. Acosta argues that these practices are part of a broader strategy by the café to maximize profits at the expense of its workers’ rights.
The lawsuit details several specific allegations: failure to pay minimum wages as per California Labor Code §§1194, 1194.2, 1997, 1197.1, 1198; failure to provide rest periods under Cal. Labor Code §226.7; failure to maintain accurate wage statements; and failure to pay all due wages upon termination or resignation. Furthermore, it alleges unfair competition under Cal. Bus. & Prof: Code §§17200 et seq., claiming that these practices gave the café an unlawful advantage over competitors who comply with labor laws.
Acosta is seeking various forms of relief from the court on behalf of herself and similarly situated employees. These include compensatory damages for unpaid wages, statutory penalties for labor code violations, restitution for unfair business practices, and injunctive relief to prevent future violations by the defendants. Additionally, she demands civil penalties under multiple sections of the California Labor Code along with attorneys’ fees and costs associated with bringing this action.
Representing Acosta is Franz T. Reece from Lipeles Law Group APC based in El Segundo, California. The case is being overseen by Judge B. Delira in Sacramento’s Superior Court under Case No.: Serf OS7T Sos.
Source: 25CV027598_Adela_Arroyo_v_JH_Enterprises_Complaint_County_of_Sacramento_California.pdf
