The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced October 13, 2026 that Il Fornaio (America) LLC, an Italian restaurant chain with 15 locations in California and Nevada, will pay $3 million and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit on behalf of a class of female employees.
The EEOC’s suit alleged supervisors and employees at its restaurants repeatedly sexually harassed female employees, many of them teenagers, including groping and requests for sexual favors. It alleged the women complained, the company did not stop the harassment and retaliated against many, and several resigned. The EEOC says it learned of at least 100 women affected.
The agency says the conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It filed EEOC v. Il Fornaio (America) LLC, No. 2:22-cv-05992, in the Central District of California after conciliation failed. Workers who face harassment or retaliation can file a charge with the EEOC.