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Job seekers who applied for a position with Mesk Investment d/b/a Ihop in Washington state between Jan. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2023, may qualify to claim approximately $1,398.09 from a class action settlement.
Mesk Investment Lakewood Inc. and related entities agreed to pay up to $6.3 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to disclose wage scales or salary ranges and a general description of benefits or other compensation in job postings as required by Washington law. The plaintiff claimed the company’s job postings did not comply with the pay transparency provisions of the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act, RCW 49.58.110.
Who can file an Ihop claim?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- They applied for a job opening in Washington state with any of the Mesk Investment entities (which operate various Ihop restaurants) between Jan. 1, 2023, and Nov. 30, 2023.
- The job posting for the position did not disclose the wage scale or salary range and/or a general description of benefits or other compensation for the position.
The defendants' records identified approximately 3,149 class members.
How much can class members get?
Pro rata payment: Each eligible class member who submits a valid claim form can receive a payment estimated at $1,398.09 and up to a maximum of $5,000 per person. The exact amount depends on the total number of valid claims submitted.
The minimum settlement fund is $4,096,705. If more than half of the class (1,575 people) submit claims, the fund increases by $1,398.09 for each additional valid claim up to a maximum of $6,298,000.
The settlement administrator will send funds from uncashed checks to the State of Washington Unclaimed Property Fund.
How to claim a settlement payment
Class members must complete and submit the claim form they received with their settlement notice. They must postmark it by Sept. 26, 2025. There is currently no online claim form or downloadable PDF.
Settlement administrator’s mailing address: McClendon v. Mesk Investment Lakewood Inc. et al c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 26170, Santa Ana, CA 92799
Payout options
- Paper check
$6.3 million settlement fund breakdown
The $4,096,705-$6,298,000 settlement fund covers:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $10,000
- Attorneys’ fees and expenses: $1,857,910
- Service award to class representative: $30,000
- Payments to class members: The remainder of the fund
Important dates
- Deadline to file a claim: Sept. 26, 2025
- Opt-out deadline: Sept. 26, 2025
- Final approval hearing: Oct. 31, 2025
When is the McClendon v. Mesk Investment Lakewood Inc. payout date?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments approximately 44 days after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.
Why is there a class action settlement?
The class action lawsuit alleged Mesk Investment Lakewood Inc. and related entities violated Washington law by failing to include required pay transparency information in job postings. The plaintiff claimed the job postings did not disclose wage scales or salary ranges and/or a general description of benefits or other compensation as required by RCW 49.58.110.
The defendants denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the costs and risks of litigation.
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