On July 20, 2004 Pearson, Simon, Warshaw & Penny, LLP attorneys filed a class action complaint against Pizza Hut, Inc. and RLLW, Inc. (doing business as Pizza Hut) on behalf of current and former drivers employed by defendants. Castillo v. Pizza Hut, Inc., et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. BC318765. The complaint alleges that defendants violated California's labor and unfair competition laws by failing to reimburse its drivers for costs associated with operating their personally owned vehicles, failed to provide adequate meal and rest periods and failed to pay wages.

The complaint requested restitution, damages, penalties, injunctive relief, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys' fees and any further relief deemed appropriate by the Court. Plaintiffs alleged that Pizza Hut failed to reimburse Pizza Hut drivers for certain job-related costs related to the personal use of employee vehicles for Pizza Hut-related business including, without limitation, making Pizza Hut food deliveries.

On October 18, 2006 the Court granted final approval to a $5.1 million class action settlement between Pizza Hut and individuals employed as drivers from July 20, 2000 to, and including, June 5, 2006.

To participate in the settlement, the drivers must have worked Pizza Hut owned and operated stores in California. The deadline to submit a claim form was September 8, 2006.

If you have questions regarding a claim, please contact the Claims Administrator, Rust Consulting, toll free at 1-800-428-9931.

If you would like to contact PSW&P about this case, please contact us.