A group of dozens of bikini-clad baristas in Seattle have been awarded $1.85 million after suing their employer, Beehive Espresso, for wage theft. The lawsuit, filed in 2024, culminated in a ruling by King's County Superior Court Judge Cindi Port on August 28.
Beehive Espresso, owned by Alan Tagle, operated five coffee stands in Seattle between 2021 and 2025. The employees, who were required to wear bikinis and lingerie while serving customers, alleged they lacked reliable work schedules and a proper timekeeping system. Their hours and earnings were reportedly at the discretion of Tagle, leading to unpredictable income.
The baristas, who worked with the Working Washington Rights Center and Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, also stated they often worked alone and were subjected to increasing sales targets. Eilish Hoffman, a former barista and representative for the class action lawsuit, noted the isolation made it difficult for employees to realize their shared experiences.
According to the lawsuit, the coffee stands were inadequately equipped. Baristas reportedly had to provide their own cash for making change, and sales transactions were not reliably recorded. Tagle did not establish a consistent payment system, with employees expected to tally their receipts, pay themselves, and then put the remaining amount in an envelope, documenting their earnings and the remainder for Tagle via text message.
The suit also detailed instances where Tagle allegedly blamed baristas for failing to meet sales targets, threatening unfavorable scheduling or removal from the schedule. To avoid punitive measures, some baristas reportedly used their own money to cover the difference between sales and targets. Court documents suggest Tagle advised employees to increase sales by removing more clothing or posting more on social media. Tagle also reportedly communicated with other employers to prevent his staff from taking other jobs, stating it would reduce his control over them.