Enrique Ramos, a former employee of a California-based food service company, has filed a lawsuit against his previous employers for alleged violations of the California Labor Code. The complaint was lodged in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, on January 23, 2025. Ramos accuses Newco Foods, Inc., Fresno Foods, LLC, Caltex Foods, Inc., and Yosi Foods LLC of multiple labor law infractions under the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).
Ramos's lawsuit claims that during his employment from January to April 2024 as a Shift Leader at these companies' Jack in the Box franchise locations, he and other employees were systematically denied their rightful wages and benefits. According to the complaint, Ramos alleges that the defendants failed to pay overtime wages and minimum wages for all hours worked. He also contends that they did not provide adequate meal and rest breaks as required by law. "Defendants had a policy of limiting overtime," Ramos asserts in his filing, adding that this led employees to work off-the-clock without compensation.
The lawsuit further highlights issues with the arbitration agreements imposed on employees at the time of hiring or during employment. Ramos argues these agreements were both procedurally and substantively unconscionable. He claims that employees were pressured into signing them without having an opportunity to negotiate terms.
Ramos seeks civil penalties for these alleged violations on behalf of himself and other aggrieved employees under PAGA. The penalties are sought for various breaches including failure to pay overtime and minimum wages, not providing accurate wage statements, and failing to reimburse necessary business expenses incurred by employees. Additionally, Ramos is demanding injunctive relief to prevent future violations by these companies.
Representing Enrique Ramos are attorneys Roxanna Tabatabaeepour, Ryan Tish, and Alexander Wallin from Capstone Law APC based in Los Angeles. The case is being overseen by Judge Tate L. Hipstrom with Case ID 2025CUMOEOS7430.