At least 26 Flanigan’s workers have come together in a federal lawsuit against the jolly green Big Daddy, accusing management of forcing them to work “off the clock” to make their paychecks slimmer.
The Fort Lauderdale-based restaurant chain has become a pillar of the South Florida dining scene, opening 25 locations since its Pompano Beach debut in 1985. Known for serving up an array of fried Americana dishes in a clean, family-friendly environment, Flanigan’s waitstaff say the culture is built on the backs of underpaid workers; according to the lawsuit, 22 employees joined in the last four months.
In March 2025, four employees of the Coconut Grove Flanigan’s at 2721 Bird Ave. filed the initial complaint (found below) against the chain. Named as the initial plaintiff, former employee Al Nawas Gampong argues that Flanigan’s violated the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Florida Minimum Wage Act, and the Florida Constitution for Florida Minimum Wage. The suit, which seeks back pay, plus interest and attorney’s fees, accuses management of violating state and federal law by forcing them to record no more than 40 hours of work…