Restaurants

High-end Zuma in Back Bay allegedly violated state wage laws

A $1.8 million citation was issued against the modern Japanese restaurant.

The AG's Office said Zuma violated state wage laws. Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

June 3, 2025

1 minute to read

Zuma, a high-end Japanese restaurant in Back Bay, was cited $1.8 million after the state Attorney General’s Office accused the business of violating state tipping laws.

Restaurant management allegedly allowed some employees with managerial duties to take from the tip pool. Tip pooling, which is when a restaurant combines tips earned by tipped employees and divides the money among certain employees, is legal in Massachusetts if the employees involved are service workers — typically the front-of-house, non-managerial staff.

“Even if managers and supervisors help to serve customers, they cannot share in a tip pool on a day when they have any managerial responsibilities,” said the office of AG Andrea Joy Campbell in a press release Monday.

The AG’s office said the tip pool violation occurred from July 2022 to July 2024 and involved employees who had been promoted to managerial roles.

The $1,813,850 citation includes penalties and restitution for unpaid wages. Some impacted employees may receive as much as $50,000, according to the AG’s press release. The citation was issued against Azumi, the restaurant group that owns Zuma, and general manager Garrett Ronan.

Boston.com reached out to Zuma for a statement, but didn’t hear back in time for publication.

The Boston location of Zuma is located at the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street in Back Bay, which is just one of multiple locations across the world.