Le Pain Quotidien $2.3M Employee Class Action Settlement

LPQ USA LLC

Hourly employees at Le Pain Quotidien restaurant in New York who worked between June 30, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2024, may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Le Pain Quotidien agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company failed to properly compensate hourly employees in New York. The claims include unpaid overtime and non-overtime wages, improper use of tip credits for tipped employees and failure to provide required wage notices and wage statements under state and federal law.

Who can file a claim?

The class includes all individuals whom Le Pain Quotidien employed as hourly workers in New York at any time between June 30, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2024. This includes both tipped and non-tipped hourly employees.

How much can class members get?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $2.3 million. After deductions for attorneys’ fees, litigation costs, service awards for named plaintiffs and settlement administration expenses, the settlement administrator will distribute the remaining amount, known as the net settlement fund, to eligible class members as follows.

57% to class members whom Le Pain Quotidien paid under a tip credit distributed on a pro rata basis according to the number of hours worked at less than the full New York minimum wage
43% to all class members, also on a pro rata basis, according to the total number of hours worked in hourly positions.

No class member will receive less than $50.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members can file a claim online or download, print, complete and mail or email the paper claim form (Page 46 of the settlement agreement) to the settlement administrator. They can also call the settlement administrator to request a paper claim form. The claim deadline is Oct. 6, 2025.

Settlement administrator's contact information: Almanzar v. LPQ USA LLC et al., c/o Settlement Administrator - 8735, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799, info@lpqsettlement.com, 833-360-6884

Required information

To file an online claim, class members must provide the unique ID and PIN printed on the settlement notice they received. Those who misplaced or are unable to locate their ID and PIN should contact the settlement administrator at info@LPQSettlement.com or 833-360-6884 and provide their full name and mailing address.

Payout options

Paper check

$2.3 million settlement fund breakdown

The $2,300,000 settlement fund includes:

Settlement administration costs: To be determined
Attorneys’ fees: Up to $766,666.67
Attorneys’ expenses: To be determined
Service awards to class representatives: $20,000 each for three named plaintiffs and $5,000 each for seven additional plaintiffs ($95,000 total)
Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 6, 2025
Opt-out deadline: Oct. 6, 2025
Final approval (fairness) hearing: Oct. 27, 2025

When is the Almanzar v. LPQ USA LLC et al. payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments to eligible class members after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Le Pain Quotidien failed to pay hourly employees in New York for certain overtime and non-overtime hours, improperly used tip credits for tipped workers and did not provide required wage notices and statements.

Le Pain Quotidien denies all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and inconvenience of further litigation.