A new lawsuit claims that a group of restaurant operators failed to pay required minimum wages to their employees, raising concerns about compliance with both federal and Illinois labor laws. The complaint was filed by Marcus Barndt on March 24, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division against Inovasi Restaurants, LLC; Everett Management, LLC; JOR Companies, LLC; John Des Rosiers; and Collier Cole.
According to the filing, Barndt brings this case as a collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and as a class action under the Illinois Minimum Wage Law (IMWL). He claims that he and other similarly situated workers were not paid their federally and state-mandated minimum wages for each hour worked while employed at restaurants operated by the defendants. The complaint states: “This collective action lawsuit arises under the Fair Labor Standards Act…for: a) Defendant’s failure to pay its employees their federally and state mandated minimum wage (regular rate of pay) for each hour worked.”
The document outlines that Barndt worked as a waiter/server at Inovasi restaurant from approximately early September 2024 through early March 2025. During this period, he alleges that although he received tips from customers, he was not paid any hourly wage for hours worked from September 2024 through early March 2025. For example, between November 18 and November 25, 2024, Barndt claims he worked 21.7 hours but received only his tips totaling $303.80 with no hourly wage. Similarly, between December 23 and December 30, 2024, he states he worked 19.38 hours but again received only tips amounting to $271.32.
The complaint further alleges that it was not until March 10, 2025—months after his employment began—that defendants started applying a “tip credit” toward his paycheck. However, Barndt contends that even when tip credits were applied later on, they were not properly calculated or applied in various weeks. As a result of these practices described as systemic in nature by referencing itemized check stubs included in the filing, Barndt asserts he is owed full minimum wages for all hours worked: $14 per hour for work performed in 2024 and $15 per hour for work performed through March 3, 2025.
Barndt’s suit names several entities and individuals as responsible parties: Inovasi Restaurants LLC is described as an employer engaged in commerce with multiple locations; Everett Management LLC is identified as manager of Inovasi Restaurants; JOR Companies LLC is listed as manager or operator; John Des Rosiers is stated to be owner responsible for payroll practices; Collier Cole is described as manager handling weekly payrolls.
The filing also notes that defendants operate six restaurants and one liquor store in northern Illinois under common policies—including payroll—and present them publicly as part of a single enterprise or “family of restaurants.” These include Inovasi (Lake Bluff), Half & Half Pizza Co (Lake Bluff), Everett Farms (Lake Forest), The Old Mill Lounge (Lake Forest), The Other Door (Lake Bluff), JDR Wine and Beer (Lake Bluff), and Venetia (Lake Bluff).
In addition to seeking unpaid wages for himself dating back three years prior to the lawsuit’s filing due to what he describes as willful violations by defendants (“Defendant’s failure to pay was willful”), Barndt seeks relief on behalf of all similarly situated current and former employees who may have experienced similar treatment during individual workweeks within three years preceding the suit.
Specifically under FLSA claims (Count I), Barndt asks the court to allow this case to proceed collectively under Section 216(b) of FLSA; award judgment for unpaid wages due; grant liquidated damages equal to unpaid wages; declare violations occurred; enjoin further violations; provide reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs; along with any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Under IMWL claims (Count II), Barndt requests treble damages on back wages due pursuant to state law formulas; statutory damages according to IMWL provisions; declaration of violation by defendants; injunctive relief against future violations; reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs per statute; plus any additional relief considered just by the court.
The case was filed with attorney Keith L. Hunt and Delaney A. Hunt of Hunt Law PC representing Marcus Barndt. Their office is located at 2275 Half Day Road Suite 126 Bannockburn, Illinois. The case identification number is Case: 1:26-cv-03257.
Source: 126cv03257_Marcus_Barndt_v_Inovasi_RestaurantsComplaint_Northern_District_of_Illinois.pdf
