Bikini Baristas Potentially Awarded $1.8 Million in Wage Violation Lawsuit – CoffeeTalk

A lawsuit involving a group of 70 bikini baristas in the greater Seattle area has resulted in a potential recovery of more than $1.8 million after a favorable ruling against Alan Tagle and his company, regarding pay violations. Judge Cindi Port of the King County Superior Court found that Tagle failed to adhere to Washington employment laws, specifically by not paying minimum wage for all hours worked. The awarded damages, calculated to be approximately $1.85 million by employee advocacy groups, include doubled wage claims, additional damages, and prejudgment interest.

Tagle operated five bikini barista stands under the name “Beehive Espresso” in various locations such as Bothell, Lynwood, Everett, Edmonds, and Seattle. The relevant class period for the claims spanned from July 2021 through June 2025, during which time Tagle was employing at least 30 baristas. The court’s decision came after a 17-day trial that featured testimonies from 18 current and former employees, alongside expert witnesses.

The lawsuit highlighted several grievances against Tagle, including the failure to issue paychecks or pay stubs over multiple years and a lack of proper tracking of employee hours and payroll. Instead, Tagle reportedly instructed employees to withdraw their wages and tips directly from the register without adequate oversight. Former employee and named plaintiff Eilish Hoffman stated that the isolation of working solo made it difficult for baristas to realize that their situations were similar, contributing to the need for solidarity, which was ultimately facilitated through social media.

A spokesperson for the Fair Work Center noted the “confusing pay practices” hindered individual employees from challenging their pay discrepancies. Attempts to contact Tagle for a comment were unsuccessful, and his legal representation could not be reached either.

Additionally, in 2025, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown took legal action against Jonathan Tagle, Alan’s brother, accusing him of sexual harassment and wage theft related to operations of bikini barista stands under the name Paradise Espresso in Tukwila, Monroe, Lynnwood, and Mountlake Terrace. However, the attorney general’s office clarified that this case does not affect the $1.8 million award from Alan Tagle’s case, which is set for trial in 2027.

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