Seasons 52 Not Looking for 'Old White Guys,' Federal Lawsuit Alleges

By Sherri Lonon

Anyone over the age of 40 looking for employment in the restaurant industry need not apply to Seasons 52.

At least that’s the contention of a lawsuit filed by against the chain by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Thursday. The restaurant chain has “denied older workers positions at its newly opened restaurants throughout the country” since at least 2010, the government agency alleges.

The agency claims that Seasons 52, which is a Darden restaurant brand, has denied job applicants positions based solely on their age – 40 and up. The discrimination extends to both “front of the house” and “back of the house” positions, the agency noted in a media release.

The lawsuit alleges that Season 52 told unsuccessful applicants such things as they were “too experienced,” the restaurant was seeking a youthful image, it wanted “fresh” employees and that it “wasn’t looking for old white guys,” the release states.

Orlando-based Darden owns 43 Seasons 52 locations across 18 states, including an eatery at 90 Perimeter Center West in Dunwoody. Darden is also the parent company for such restaurants as Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, LongHorn Steakhouse and Bahama Breeze, among others.

The lawsuit pertains only to the Seasons 52 chain.

Job applicants who believe they were denied positions at Seasons 52 because of their age or who have information related to the case are asked to contact the EEOC at 1-844-816-7877 or via email at seasons52.lawsuit@eeoc.gov.

-- Patch file photo