Applebee’s Operator to Pay $270,000 in EEOC Harassment Lawsuit Alleging Sexually Hostile Work Environment

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Quality Restaurant Concepts, LLC (QRC), owner and operator of approximately 60 Applebee's-branded restaurants across the southeastern U.S., will pay $270,000 and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment, constructive discharge and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.

According to the EEOC's lawsuit, the company failed to take appropriate action to address a sexually hostile work environment that harmed at least six female employees beginning in approximately April 2023. The EEOC said the general manager of QRC's restaurant in Chelsea, Alabama, harassed female employees through unwelcome sexual comments, advances, offensive conduct, and physical contact. He and other management failed to stop other male employees and customers from doing the same.

Despite receiving complaints of this conduct and the general manager's prior history of sexually harassing a minor female employee at another of QRC's restaurants, the company failed to take appropriate action and allowed the general manager to continue working closely with young female employees. The company further failed to take appropriate action when a minor female employee complained about sexual harassment from a much older adult bartender. Multiple female workers subjected to this environment felt compelled to leave their jobs.

"Employers have a duty to protect young workers, who are among the most vulnerable employees in the workplace, especially in the restaurant industry," said Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOC's Birmingham District Office. "By enacting strong policies and procedures to ensure that all complaints of sexual harassment are taken seriously and adequately investigated, employers can better fulfill their obligations under federal law to create a safe work environment free from harassment."

The alleged conduct violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace. The EEOC filed suit (EEOC v. Quality Restaurant Concepts, LLC d/b/a Applebee's, Case No. 2:24-cv-1331) in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.

Acting EEOC Birmingham District Director Linda Sales-Long said, "This decree's injunctive relief, including mandatory training requirements, policy changes and reporting obligations, will help ensure that complaints are properly handled and the company's managers are accountable for protecting the safety of vulnerable workers."

The EEOC's Youth@Work website presents information for teens and other young workers about employment discrimination, including curriculum guides for students and teachers and videos to help young workers stay informed about their rights and responsibilities. Learn more by going to www.eeoc.gov/youth .

For more information on sexual harassment, please visit www.eeoc.gov/sexual-harassment .

The EEOC's Birmingham District Office has jurisdiction over Alabama, Mississippi (except 17 northern counties) and the Florida Panhandle.

The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government's employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov .