San Diego County is suing a major sushi supplier that operates in the region’s largest supermarket chains and specialty stores throughout California, alleging that it classifies sushi chefs as independent contractors, resulting in low pay and multiple labor law violations.
In a newly filed lawsuit, obtained by Times of San Diego, the county, on behalf of the People of the State of California, sued ACE Sushi and several related businesses for using America’s craving for fresh sushi to take advantage of hundreds of sushi chefs in San Diego County and beyond, all while making hundreds of millions in profit.
“Since 2020, grocery store sushi sales have risen over 60% to more than $2.5 billion,” reads the lawsuit. “Sushi is one of the fastest-growing fresh food items sold in many of the nation’s largest grocery store chains, including Albertsons, Ralphs, Kroger, Smart & Final, Stater Brothers, Costco, and WinCo.”…