A Hot Pot Chain That Has Been Accused of Labor Violations Is Expanding to Allston

The space at 130 Brighton Ave. in Allston long occupied by Sunset Grill & Tap will soon have new tenants. Sunset Partners, Inc. is petitioning the city to transfer its license (food, plus beer, wine, and liqueurs) to Happy Lamb Hot Pot. The Allston restaurant space has been vacant since Sunset, a neighborhood staple, closed in late 2017.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot currently operates two other restaurants in the area — one in Central Square, Cambridge, and the other in Boston’s Chinatown. It has been accused of multiple labor violations in at least one lawsuit, with allegations including wage theft, refusing to allow workers to use accrued sick time, exposing workers to potentially hazardous cleaning chemicals, retaliating against workers who made complaints by cutting hours, and more.

In all, 14 current and former employees of Happy Lamb Hot Pot have joined a complaint against the restaurant chain with the US District Court of Massachusetts.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot officially denied the allegations with the US District Court of Massachusetts. “Defendants deny each and every allegation of fact, conclusion of law, or other matter contained in the Complaint that has not been expressly admitted herein,” it states.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot has not yet announced an opening timeline for its new location.

• Sunset Grill & Tap and Patron’s Have Closed [EBOS]
• Happy Lamb Hot Pot Plans to Open in Former Sunset Grill and Tap Space in Allston [BRT]
• Workers Are Suing Happy Lamb Hot Pot, Alleging Wage Theft and Other Violations [EBOS]
• More Workers Are Suing Happy Lamb Hot Pot [EBOS]