Wendlandt v. Trop, Inc. d/b/a "Pink Pony"
Did You Work at the Pink Pony? Your Employer May Owe You Money.
A federal lawsuit has been filed against Trop, Inc. d/b/a “Pink Pony” alleging that bartenders, servers, and other tipped employees were underpaid, had tips unlawfully taken, and were required to work off the clock.
Note: Hall & Lampros lawyers represent a Pink Pony employee but did not file the collective action lawsuit Wendlandt v. Trop, Inc. If you would like to discuss your individual claim, call Hall & Lampros, LLP for a free consultation.
The lawsuit is a collective action complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Case No. 1:26-cv-03795) alleges that Trop, Inc. d/b/a “Pink Pony” and its owners and managers violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Tip Income Protection Act (TIPA) through a systematic pattern of wage theft.
Hall & Lampros lawyers represent a Pink Pony employee but did not file the collective action lawsuit Wendlandt v. Trop, Inc. If you want to join the collective action lawsuit and proceed as a group, you can contact the lawyers who made the claim. You also may receive notice if the lawsuit is certified.
If you would like to discuss your individual claim, call Hall & Lampros, LLP for a free consultation. Individual claims often proceed at a faster pace, resulting in quicker recovery. If you make an individual claim, you have more control over the settlement process.
Do You Have a Claim?
You may have a claim if you worked — or currently work — at the Pink Pony located at 1837 Corporate Blvd. NE, Brookhaven, Georgia, and any of the following apply:
You Were a Tipped Employee
You worked as a bartender, server, or in any other tipped role at the Pink Pony and received tips from customers as part of your compensation.
You Worked Since August 2023
Potential claims include current and former employees who worked at the Pink Pony for at least one week at any time during the three years prior to making a claim.
You Experienced Any of the Following
-Paid only $2.13 per hour
-Required to pay a “house fee” each shift
-Required to pay $10.00 valet fees per shift
-Required to contribute tips to a tip pool
-Required to work before or after your shift without pay
Alleged Violations
01. Paid Below Minimum Wage
Tipped employees were paid only $2.13 per hour — far below the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Employers may only pay this reduced rate if strict legal requirements are met. The lawsuit alleges those requirements were never properly followed.
02. No Tip Credit Notice
The law requires employers to notify tipped employees of specific tip credit rules before taking a tip credit. The complaint alleges Pink Pony failed to provide this legally required notice, meaning employees were owed the full minimum wage for every hour worked.
03. Illegal Tip Pool — 50% to 60% of Tips Taken
The complaint alleges bartenders were required to contribute between 50% and 60% of their earnings to an illegal tip pool that benefited management and others not legally entitled to tips — a direct violation of the FLSA and TIPA.
04. "House Fees" Charged Each Shift
Employees were allegedly required to pay a “house fee” to the club for every shift worked, paid from their own tip earnings. Refusing to pay could result in termination.
05. Mandatory Valet Fees — $10 Per Shift
Tipped employees were allegedly required to park with the Pink Pony valet and pay $10.00 per shift. They were not permitted to park elsewhere. These fees are alleged to be unlawful deductions under the FLSA.
06. Off-the-Clock Work — Before and After Every Shift
Employees were allegedly required to attend mandatory pre-shift meetings before their scheduled start time and complete “check-out procedures” after closing — none of which was compensated.
There is no cost to you to make an individual claim. Hall & Lampros handles FLSA claims on a contingency fee basis — we only get paid if you recover.
If you make a claim, you may be entitled to recover multiple categories of damages under federal law — and in many cases the law doubles the amount owed.
Unpaid Minimum Wages
The difference between the $2.13/hr you were paid and the full federal minimum wage ($7.25/hr) for every hour you worked.
Misappropriated Tips
Recovery of all tips that were unlawfully taken through the illegal tip pool, house fees, and valet fees.
Off-the-Clock Pay
Compensation for pre-shift meetings and post-shift checkout procedures you were required to perform without pay.
Liquidated Damages
Under the FLSA, willful violations entitle you to an additional equal amount in liquidated damages — potentially doubling your total recovery.
Overtime Wages
If you worked more than 40 hours in any week, you may be owed unpaid overtime at 1.5× your regular rate of pay.
Attorney's Fees & Costs
The FLSA requires the employer to pay your attorney’s fees and litigation costs if you prevail — so making a claim costs you nothing out of pocket.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer retaliate against me for making a claim? ▾
Federal law strictly prohibits retaliation against employees who assert their rights under the FLSA. Retaliation is itself a federal violation that can result in additional damages.
I no longer work at the Pink Pony. Can I still make a claim? ▾
Yes. Former employees who worked there at any point during the relevant three-year period are eligible to participate.
I was paid in cash. Does that matter? ▾
No. The FLSA applies regardless of whether you were paid in cash or by check. Cash-based wage violations are still fully actionable.
How much could I recover? ▾
The amount varies depending on how long you worked, your hours, and the fees deducted from your pay. Under the FLSA, you may be entitled to double your unpaid wages in liquidated damages. Contact us for a free estimate based on your specific situation.
What does it cost to make a claim? ▾
Nothing. Hall & Lampros handles your individual claim on a contingency basis. There are no upfront fees, and the FLSA requires the employer to pay your attorney’s fees if you win.
Hall & Lampros, LLP
Hall & Lampros, LLP is an Atlanta-based litigation firm with extensive experience representing workers in wage and hour disputes, including FLSA collective actions and class actions against employers across Georgia and beyond.
We understand the real financial harm that wage theft causes to working people. Our attorneys are committed to holding employers accountable when they violate workers’ rights under federal and state law.
-Experienced in FLSA collective actions and wage theft litigation
-Contingency fee representation — no recovery, no fee
-Confidential consultations at no charge
-Located in Atlanta, serving clients throughout Georgia
-Dedicated to fighting for workers’ rights
How the Process Works
01. Free Consultation
Contact Hall & Lampros for a confidential, no-cost case review. We will ask about your employment at the Pink Pony, your pay, and your experience with tips and fees.
02. We Handle the Litigation
Our attorneys handle every aspect of the claim on your behalf.
03. Recovery
Whether through settlement or a court judgment, any money you are owed is paid directly to you. Attorney’s fees are paid separately by the employer under the FLSA.
Find Out What You May Be Owed
Contact Hall & Lampros today for a free, confidential case review. There is no obligation and no cost.
Phone: (404) 876-8100
Email: info@hallandlampros.com
Website: www.hallandlampros.com
Office: 300 Galleria Pkwy, Suite 300, Atlanta, Georgia 30339
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING — LEGAL DISCLAIMER
This document has been prepared by Hall & Lampros, LLP for informational and marketing purposes only. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. The outcome of any legal matter depends upon specific facts and applicable law. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The filing of a lawsuit does not guarantee recovery. Whether any individual qualifies to participate in a collective action depends on the specific facts of their employment. Potential class members are advised to consult with an attorney regarding their individual rights and claims.
Hall & Lampros, LLP is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia. © 2026 Hall & Lampros, LLP. All rights reserved.
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