
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff,
v.
Civ. No. 93-20208-JW
FLAGSTAR CORPORATION and
DENNY'S, INC.,
Defendants.
________________________________
Consolidated With
KRISTINA RIDGEWAY, Individually
and on Behalf of all Persons
Similarly Situated,
Plaintiffs,
v.
Civ. No. 93-20202-JW
FLAGSTAR CORPORATION and
DENNY'S, INC.,
Defendants.
________________________________.
AMENDED CONSENT DECREE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- PURPOSES OF THIS DECREE
- THE PARTIES' CONTENTIONS
- Plaintiffs' Contentions
- Defendants' Contentions
- DEFINITIONS
- JURISDICTION, SCOPE AND TERM OF DECREE
- GENERAL NONDISCRIMINATORY PROVISIONS
- COMPLIANCE PROVISIONS
- General Compliance
- Policies
- Notice to Employees and Agents and Training and Education Program
- Notification to Employees and Agents
- Training of Employees and Agents
- Notice to and Training of Franchisees.
- Notice to the Public and Advertising
- TESTING
- MONITORING, RECORD-KEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- Civil Rights Monitor
- Record-Keeping
- Record-Keeping in General
- Application of Attorney-Client Privilege And Work-Product Doctrine
- Civil Rights Monitor
- Denny's
- Complaints of Discrimination Under the Original Decree
- Reporting Provisions
- Preliminary Meeting
- Semi-Annual Reports
- Reports To Testing Organizations
- Reports Re: Complaints Of Discrimination
- Dispute Resolution Procedure
- CLASS MONETARY RELIEF
- Monetary Settlement Fund
- Definition of the Class
- Claims Administrator
- Notice
- Provisions for Objections and Exclusions
- Claims Procedure
- Special Master
- Class Monetary Distribution
- Attorneys' Fees and Costs
- Release Of Claims By Plaintiff Class
- NOTICES
- INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION
- ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION AND SEVERABILITY
On March 26, 1993, plaintiff United States filed a complaint simultaneously with a Consent Decree ("Original Decree") against defendants TW Services, Inc. (now Flagstar Corporation) and Denny's, Inc. The Original Decree was approved by this Court on April 1, 1993.
On March 24, 1993, Plaintiff Class filed a complaint against
defendants TW Services, Inc., TW Holdings, Inc. (now Flagstar
Companies, Inc.) and Denny's, Inc. and Denny's Holdings, Inc.
(collectively referred to as "defendants").
On July 2, 1993, the Court, on its own motion, consolidated
both actions for pretrial purposes.
The complaints of both plaintiffs allege violations of Title
II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a, et seq.
("Public Accommodations Act"). In addition, the complaint filed
by Plaintiff Class alleges violations of 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42
U.S.C. § 1985(3), California Business and Professions Code §§
17200 et seq., California Civil Code §§ 51 et seq. and California
Civil Code §§ 1750 et seq.
Defendant Flagstar Corporation is a Delaware corporation
with its principal place of business in Spartanburg, South
Carolina. Flagstar Corporation, through its subsidiary Denny's,
conducts business across the United States, including the State
of California. Defendant Flagstar Companies, Inc. wholly owns
defendant Flagstar Corporation. Denny's, Inc. is a California
corporation with its principal place of business in Spartanburg,
South Carolina. Defendant Denny's Holdings is a subsidiary of
Flagstar Corporation and owns defendant Denny's, Inc.
The complaints of the United States and the Plaintiff Class
allege that Denny's, a subsidiary of Flagstar Corporation, has
engaged in a pattern or practice of denying to African-American
persons, and their companions on the basis of race or color, the
use and enjoyment of the facilities, services, and accommodations
of Denny's Restaurants on the same basis as they make such
available to white persons. More specifically, the United States
and the Plaintiff Class allege that Denny's: (1) implemented
terms and conditions for service to African-American persons and
their companions that are less favorable than the terms and conditions for service to white persons; (2) treats African-American
customers and their companions less favorably than white
customers; and (3) discourages African-American persons from
visiting its restaurants.
Following the execution of the Original Decree on April 1,
1993, numerous complaints of racial discrimination were submitted
to Plaintiff Class and the United States. The United States investigated many of these complaints and, based on those investigations, the United States has determined that an amendment of
the Original Decree is necessary to expand the procedures
designed to ensure that defendants are taking appropriate action
to address alleged violations of the Public Accommodations Act
and to prevent discrimination in the future. In addition, to
further the public interest, a description of plaintiffs'
contentions and the evidence on which they would rely if this
case were adjudicated will be recited below in Section III.
Denny's and Flagstar Corporation continue to deny the allegations set forth in the complaints of the United States and
the Plaintiff Class. However, the parties have agreed that, in
order to avoid protracted and costly litigation, this controversy
should be resolved through the amendment of the Original Decree.
This Amended Consent Decree shall constitute a resolution of all
claims asserted or which could have been asserted on the basis of
race or color by African Americans and their companions with
regard to discrimination in public accommodations by both the
United States and Plaintiff Class through May 24, 1994. As
indicated by the signature of counsel at the end of this document, the parties have consented to the entry of this Amended
Consent Decree (hereinafter "Decree").
The parties have entered into this Decree for the following
purposes:
- To ensure, by means set forth in this Decree, that all
future customers of Denny's Restaurants and franchisees are
accorded equal treatment and service regardless of race and/or
color.
- To provide injunctive relief in furtherance of the
public interest, and injunctive and monetary relief to all class
members by means of the goals, timetables, and other procedures
set forth in this Decree.
- To avoid further protracted, expensive, and disruptive litigation.
- Plaintiffs' Contentions
Plaintiffs contend that they would produce, at a minimum,
testimonial evidence at trial substantially as follows, and that,
if such testimony were elicited as described, it would demonstrate a violation of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
42 U.S.C. §§ 2000a et seq. In addition, Plaintiff Class contends
that it would produce, at a minimum, testimonial evidence at
trial substantially as follows, and that, if such testimony were
elicited as described, it would demonstrate a violation of 42
U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1985(3), California Business and
Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq., California Civil Code §§ 51 et
seq. and California Civil Code §§ 1750 et seq.
- As of the date of this Amended Consent Decree, Denny's,
Inc., a subsidiary of defendant Flagstar Corporation, owns,
operates and franchises Denny's Restaurants across the United
States, including the State of California.
- The testimony would establish that defendants required
prepayment and/or cover charges as a precondition for African-
American persons to receive service or food at defendants'
restaurants. In one such incident, in December, 1991, a group of
approximately eighteen (18) African-American high school and
college students visited a Denny's Restaurant in San Jose,
California. The group was told by defendants' manager that,
prior to being seated, they would have to pay for their meals in
advance and/or a $2.00 "cover charge" uor "minimum." During this visit, there was a group of white students in defendants'
restaurant that had not been asked to prepay and/or pay a cover
charge. The African-American students, despite their offer to
break up into smaller groups, were denied service by defendants.
- The testimony would further establish that, in November,
1991, at a Denny's Restaurant in San Diego, California, a group
of eleven (11) African-American persons, most of them related,
were required to prepay for their meals in advance. Witnesses
observed several non-African-American persons pay at the cash
register.
- The testimony would further establish that on two
separate occasions, in 1991, at a Denny's Restaurant in San Jose,
California, two different groups of African-American persons were
required to prepay prior to being served. The first group
consisted of seven (7) to ten (10) African-American students.
The second group, which consisted of approximately fifteen (15)
to (20) African-American high school students, waited for more
than an hour without having their orders taken. A waitress
finally came over and told the group that they would have to pay
for their meals before they could be served. Approximately half
of the group left the restaurant. A few minutes later, the other
half of the group was escorted out of the restaurant by police at
defendants' restaurant's request.
- The same restaurant referenced in paragraph 4 above, in
1992, was responsible for the removal from the restaurant by the
police of a group of four female high school students, three
African-American and one East Indian. The females, who were not
allowed to finish their meals, were removed because, according to
the testimony that would be provided, there were "too many of you
people here."
- The testimony would further establish that, in 1992, at
one of defendants' restaurants in Santa Clara, California, an
African-American person was required to prepay and treated poorly
by the waiter on duty, while a white male was seated -- without
prepayment -- by the same waiter.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that,
in 1992, at a Denny's Restaurant in Sacramento, California,
African-American customers were required to prepay for their
meals and provide identification prior to being allowed into the
restaurant.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that,
in 1991, an African-American family of five (two parents and
three children) who visited one of defendant's restaurants in
Vallejo, California, to celebrate the birthday of one of the
children was denied a "free birthday meal." The family was made
to wait an excessively long period of time for service, was
treated discourteously, and required to produce burdensome proof
of their child's date of birth. The family eventually left the
restaurant because of the embarrassment and humiliation they had
suffered.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
a Denny's Restaurant in San Jose also does not provide "free
birthday meals" to African-American customers on the same terms
and conditions as those provided to non-African-American
customers.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
on April 1, 1993, the same day the Original Decree was entered, a
group of 21 United States Secret Service officers (7 African-
American and 14 white), in uniform, drove to Annapolis, Maryland
early in the morning to prepare for a trip by the President of
the United States to the Naval Academy. The officers stopped for
breakfast at a Denny's Restaurant in Annapolis. Six African-
American officers sat together at a table, and the other officers
sat elsewhere. The six African-American officers who sat
together did not get served in the 55 minutes they were in the
restaurant; the other officers, including an African-American
officer sitting with white officers, did get served.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
several months after the execution of the Original Decree, at a
Denny's Restaurant in Mojave, California, an African-American
family was denied seating and service. Non-African-American
witnesses observing the incident would testify that during the
approximately fifty (50) minutes that the African-American family
waited to be seated, they and numerous other non-African-
Americans who arrived after the African-American family were
seated and served. The witnesses would further testify that
although seating was available, the African-American family was
not offered seating and eventually left the restaurant.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
on or about June 23, 1993, an African-American man and Caucasian
woman ("military couple"), both members of the United States
Armed Services, visited a Denny's Restaurant in Shreveport,
Louisiana. The Restaurant was not crowded. There were perhaps
ten (10) other people sitting in a section at the back of the
Restaurant. A Caucasian group, comprised of a couple, a baby and
an elderly man, were sitting and eating at the table diagonally
to the right of the direction the couple was facing.
Approximately ten (10) minutes after they were seated, a
Caucasian couple was seated at a table diagonal and to the left
of the direction the couple was facing. A Caucasian waitress
took their order immediately. The waitress delivered their food
within approximately five minutes and refilled their coffee cups.
The waitress had been so close to the military couple's table
when she was delivering the Caucasian couple's food that she
bumped up against their table. She did not take the military
couple's order at that time, although their menus were laying
closed at the edge of their table. In addition to taking the
second Caucasian couple's orders and serving their food, the
waitress refilled the coffee cups at the tables of both the
Caucasian couple and group at least twice during this period.
Both of the tables were so close to the military couple's table
that the waitress brushed up against their table when she went to
refill the coffee cups of both the Caucasian couple and group.
The military couple eventually left the restaurant without being
served.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
Denny's managers in San Jose, California were instructed
individually and at district meetings to limit patronage by
African-American customers by ignoring African-American
customers, telling them that tables were not available when, in
fact, tables were available, requiring customers to pay for their
meals in advance and closing down the restaurant when too many
African-American customers attempted to visit the restaurant.
- The evidence and testimony would further establish that
Denny's managers in Los Angeles were instructed to seat African-
American customers in certain areas of the restaurant, require
groups of African-American customers to pay for their meals in
advance, deny separate checks for African-American groups when
the same was provided to non-African-American groups, charge a
15% gratuity to the checks of African-American customers and
discourage African-American customers by denying seating and/or
requiring them to wait for prolonged periods prior to being
seated.
- Defendants' Contentions
Denny's and Flagstar Corporation deny the allegations set
forth in the complaints of the United States and the Plaintiff
Class. Denny's has investigated many of these incidents of
alleged discrimination, and although some involved problems with
customer service, Denny's does not believe that the Claimants
were discriminated against on the basis of race. However,
Denny's and Flagstar Corporation recognize that some individual
employees may act in a discriminatory manner towards customers
even though such actions are contrary to Company policy. Consequently, Denny's and Flagstar Corporation are willing to adopt
the procedures set forth in this Decree to prevent incidents of
discrimination from arising in the future. Denny's and Flagstar
Corporation believe it is in their best interest to enter into
this Decree and resolve the monetary claims of Plaintiff Class in
order to avoid the costs of continuing to litigate this matter.
Denny's and Flagstar Corporation continue to be committed to
investigating claims of discrimination, and to remedy any incidents of discrimination promptly.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED as follows:
The following terms (whether or not underscored) when used in this Decree, in addition to the terms defined elsewhere in
this Decree, shall have the following meanings:
- "African-Americans" shall include all black persons.
- "Agent" shall mean any person including, but not limited
to, security personnel, involved in the treatment and service of
customers at Denny's Restaurants.
- "Claim Form" shall mean the printed form, which is
Exhibit G to this Decree, in English by which claimants assert
their claims, or any equivalent form or document that contains
substantially all of the information sought in the printed form.
- "Claim Period" shall be defined as the period commencing
on November 14, 1988 and ending on May 24, 1994.
- "Claimant" shall mean all eligible class members who
have not opted out of the lawsuit and have filed a claim form
which states facts upon which the Claims Administrator and/or
Class Counsel and/or a Special Master can determine that during
the liability period, the claimant was subjected to differential
treatment and/or services as a customer at a Denny's Restaurant
in California on account of race or color of the claimant or his
or her companion.
- "Complaint" includes any oral or written, formal or informal complaint, to any administrative or official body or to
any officer, employee, agent or franchisee of Denny's.
- "Denny's" shall refer to Denny's Inc., all company-owned
"Denny's Restaurants" and all officers, employees and agents of
Denny's, Inc. and company-owned "Denny's Restaurants."
- "Original Decree" shall refer to the Decree entered in
Civil No. 93-20208-JW on April 1, 1993.
- "Plaintiff Class" shall refer to all African-American
customers of Denny's Restaurants and franchised Denny's
Restaurants in California and their companions who at any time
between November 14, 1988 and May 24, 1994 were subjected to
discriminatory customer treatment and/or service practices based
on race or color, including but not limited to:
- Payment for meals prior to service or consumption
("prepayment") based on race or color;
- Payment of a "cover charge" prior to service based on race or color;
- Denial of or delay in seating based on race or color;
- Denial of a complimentary "birthday meal" or other promotional items or programs based on race or color;
- Forced or threatened removal from the restaurant
based on race or color;
- Charges for services or food items for which non
African-American customers were not charged based on race or
color; and
- Other forms of differential service based on race
or color.
- "Principal" or "Principally Featured" shall refer to: (i) anyone who is seen and who speaks a line or lines of
dialogue, whether directly employed for such work or after being
hired as an extra performer; or (ii) anyone whose face appears
silent, alone in a stationary camera shot, and is identified with
the product or service; or (iii) anyone whose face appears silent
and is identifiable and whose foreground performance demonstrates
or illustrates a product or service or illustrates or reacts to
the on or off-camera narrations or commercial message. Persons
appearing in the foreground solely as atmosphere and not otherwise covered by the foregoing shall be deemed extra performers.
- "Testing" shall refer to an investigative process in
which similarly situated pairs of individuals, or groups of
individuals, are sent to a Denny's Restaurant at predetermined
times under controlled circumstances to determine if employees at
the restaurant are discriminating against customers on the basis
of race or color. Although the precise requirements of a given
test will differ depending upon the type of discrimination under
examination and the practical limitations of the test situation,
it is expected that (1) test pairs or groups will be carefully
matched so as to be similar in all respects except in race or
color; (2) test pairs or groups will visit the test site as close
together in time as logistically possible; and (3) test pairs or
groups will be trained to seek similar service in a similar
manner from the same restaurant employee(s).
- JURISDICTION, SCOPE AND TERM OF DECREE
- The parties have consented to the entry of this Decree.
To this end, the parties stipulate and the Court finds that: (1)
Denny's Restaurants are places of public accommodation within the
meaning of 42 U.S.C. § 2000a(b)(1); (2) Denny's Restaurants'
operations affect interstate commerce within the meaning of 42
U.S.C. 2000a(c)(1); and (3) this Court has personal jurisdiction over defendants for purposes of this action and
jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2000a-6 and
28 U.S.C. §§ 1331, 1343 and 1345.
- The parties agree and the Court ORDERS that the Original
Decree entered in Civil No. 93-20208-JW on April 1, 1993 is hereby AMENDED. This Decree supersedes the Original Decree entered
in Civil No. 93-20208-JW.
- The provisions of this Decree shall apply as follows:
- All provisions of this Decree, unless otherwise
indicated, shall apply to Denny's, its subsidiaries, officers,
employees, agents, assigns, successors in interest in the
ownership and/or operation of Denny's Restaurants, and anyone
acting in whole or in part under the direction of Denny's or any
of Denny's subsidiaries in connection with the treatment and/or
service of customers in Denny's Restaurants. The provisions of
Sections II, IV, VI, VIIA., VIIC.3., VIID.2. and VIII shall apply to franchisees to the extent stated in those sections.
- Flagstar Corporation, its subsidiaries, officers,
employees, agents, assigns, and successors in interest, or anyone acting in whole or in part under the direction of Flagstar
Corporation or any of Flagstar Corporation's subsidiaries shall
be bound by Sections VI, IXB.1. and IXC.4. of this Decree.
- The provisions of this Decree are effective immediately
upon the entry of the Decree by the Court. The Decree shall be
effective for a period of seven (7) years from May 24, 1994,
unless the case is dismissed earlier as provided in the next
paragraph.
- Within sixty (60) days preceding the fifth anniversary
of the entry of the Decree by the Court, or at any time
thereafter, Denny's may apply to the Court for an order dismissing the case. The United States and/or Plaintiff Class may
respond to Denny's application in accordance with the Local Rules
of this District. The Court may determine that an early dismissal of the case is appropriate based upon Denny's satisfaction
of the terms, provisions and purposes of this Decree. Absent an
early dismissal of this case or extensions by the Court,
defendants may move for dismissal of this case at the close of
the seven (7) year period. The United States and/or counsel for
the Plaintiff Class may oppose defendants' motion on any grounds
appropriate under applicable law.
- GENERAL NONDISCRIMINATORY PROVISIONS
Flagstar Corporation and Denny's, together with their respective subsidiaries, officers, employees, agents, assigns, successors in interest in the ownership and/or operation of their
respective places of public accommodation, and those persons in
active concert or participation with them in connection with the
treatment and/or service of customers who receive actual notice
of the Decree by personal service or otherwise, and franchisees
who receive actual notice of the Decree by personal service or
otherwise, are HEREBY PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from:
- Denying to any person, on the ground of race or color,
the full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities,
privileges, advantages, and accommodations of its restaurants;
- Denying service, or offering less favorable terms and
conditions of service, to any person on the ground of race or
color;
- Requiring prepayment, a cover charge or identification
as a condition of service, on the ground of race or color;
- Implementing different terms and conditions, on the
ground of race or color, concerning Denny's promotional offers,
including, but not limited to, any future offer of "free birthday
meals";
- Making statements, on the ground of race or color, that
would discourage a reasonable person from visiting defendants'
restaurants;
- Instructing or encouraging employees or staff members to
discourage any person, on the ground of race or color, from
visiting defendants' facilities or from enjoying the full benefits of defendants' facilities;
- Making, printing, or publishing, or causing to be made,
printed, or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement
with respect to the service or equal enjoyment of defendants'
restaurants that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race or color, or an intention to make any
such limitation or discrimination;
- Representing to any person, because of race or color,
that service or enjoyment of defendants' facilities is not available, when such is in fact so available;
- Denying service, or offering less favorable terms or
conditions of service, to any non-African-American customers
because they patronize defendants' facilities as part of a group
which includes African-American customers;
- Retaliating against any officer, employee or agent for
opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in the service
and/or treatment of customers, in violation of applicable law
and/or this Decree.
Denny's shall take the following steps to insure that its
restaurants are operated in a nondiscriminatory manner:
- General Compliance
Denny's shall implement the plan described below to ensure
compliance with federal law by Denny's, its subsidiaries, franchisees, agents, officers and employees. The plan includes, but
is not limited to, provisions for the development and implementation of a non-discrimination training program for personnel,
the retention of a Civil Rights Monitor ("Monitor"), testing of
Denny's franchise and company-owned restaurants to monitor and
ensure compliance with this Decree, and notifying the public that
Denny's Restaurants will operate in a nondiscriminatory manner.
In order that compliance with this Decree may be monitored
appropriately, Denny's shall maintain appropriate records.
Denny's shall cooperate with the United States and counsel for
the Plaintiff Class in providing complete, accurate and current
information as required under this Decree regarding its
restaurants and compliance with this Decree.
- Policies
Denny's customer service policies shall be uniformly applied
to all customers, regardless of their race or color. This Decree
shall not restrict Denny's from revising or modifying its
policies concerning the treatment and service of customers,
provided the revisions or modifications do not discriminate on
the basis of race or color, or conflict with any provision of
this Decree.
During the period in which this Decree is in effect, Denny's
shall deliver to the Monitor, the United States and counsel for
the Plaintiff Class any proposed, new, revised or amended customer service policies prior to their implementation so that the
Monitor, the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class
may review such policies to ensure that they are consistent with
the non-discrimination provisions of Section VI above. If the
Monitor does not object or propose any amendments and/or
revisions within fifteen (15) days of receipt of Denny's policies
or any proposed amendments and/or revisions to those policies,
Denny's may implement such policies. If the Monitor objects,
Denny's proposed revisions and/or amendments to Denny's policies
may not be adopted until after Denny's and the Monitor have endeavored, in good faith, to resolve all disputed issues concerning such policies pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure.
In the event that the Monitor objects to any of Denny's
existing or proposed customer service policies on the basis that
they conflict with or undermine the provisions and purposes of
this Decree, and Denny's does not modify such policy to the
satisfaction of the Monitor, the United States may seek to
address the issue through the Dispute Resolution Procedure, or,
if a satisfactory resolution is not reached through that
procedure, through the Court.
In the event that the Monitor objects to any of Denny's
existing or proposed customer service policies on the basis that
they conflict with or undermine the provisions or purposes of
this Decree, and Denny's does not modify such policy to the
satisfaction of the Monitor, and the United States does not
address the objection to the satisfaction of the Monitor, counsel
for the Plaintiff Class may seek to address the issue through the
Dispute Resolution Procedure, or, if a satisfactory resolution of
the issue is not reached through the procedure, through the
Court.
- Notice to Employees and Agents and Training and Education Program
- Notification to Employees and Agents
- Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of
this Decree, Denny's shall send each of its officers, employees and agents a letter accompanied by: (i) a Summary
of the Decree as set forth in Exhibit A and (ii) a copy of
the Notice set forth in Exhibit B, explaining the employee's
and/or agent's duties and obligations under Title II of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964 and this Consent Decree. In addition, Denny's shall inform its officers, employees and
agents that any breach of, or failure to comply with, the
terms and conditions set forth in section VI of this Decree
shall subject them to dismissal or other appropriate disciplinary action. Each person receiving the Summary and
Notice shall execute a statement acknowledging that he or
she has received and read the Summary and Notice, and that
he or she agrees to act in accordance therewith. Such statement shall be in the form of Exhibit C to this Decree and
copies thereof shall be retained at the unit where the
employee works or, in the case of district, regional or
divisional employees, at the divisional office, or, in the
case of corporate officers, at Denny's corporate office.
During the term of this Decree, copies of such statements
shall be made available, upon ten (10) days notice, to the
United States and/or counsel for the Plaintiff Class.
- Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of
this Decree, Denny's shall inform its current officers,
employees and agents that if the officer, employee or agent
wants a copy of the Consent Decree, one will be provided to
him or her at Denny's expense. Where this Decree requires
defendant to provide its officers, employees or agents a
copy of a document (e.g., Exhibit B), the officers, employees or agents are entitled to keep permanently a copy of
that document. Merely showing the officer, employee or
agent a copy of the document does not comply with the requirements of this Decree.
- Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of
this Decree, Denny's shall inform each current officer, employee and agent that Denny's cannot and will not reprimand,
penalize, or otherwise retaliate in any way against any officer, employee or agent for opposing or reporting alleged
discrimination in the service and/or treatment of customers,
in violation of applicable law and/or this Decree. This
notice may be a separate document or incorporated as a part
of Exhibit B, concerning the employee's or agent's duties
and obligations under Title II.
- With respect to new officers, employees or agents,
Denny's shall comply with the provisions of subparagraphs
a., b. and c. above within seven (7) days of commencement of
employment of the new officer, employee or agent.
- All Denny's officers, employees and agents shall be
notified of the entry of this Decree in the first issue of
the Denny's Newsletter, published subsequent to the effective date of this Decree. However, such publication
shall not be later than six (6) months following the effective date of this Decree. The notice shall be printed on
the cover page of the Denny's Newsletter. The notice shall
be submitted to the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class within thirty (30) days of the effective
date of this Decree. If the United States and/or counsel
for the Plaintiff Class does not object within fifteen (15)
days of receipt of the proposed notice, Denny's may publish
the proposed notice. If either the United States and/or
counsel for the Plaintiff Class objects, the parties shall
endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues concerning
the proposed notice pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court.
- Within sixty (60) days of the effective date of
this Decree, Denny's shall notify all employees that failure
to comply with the obligations of this Decree shall affect
the eligibility of any management employee to receive any
benefits under any of Denny's incentive programs for
management employees to the extent management discretion is
involved in deciding such benefits. Denny's shall notify
all employees that failure to comply with the obligations of
this Decree shall affect the eligibility of any employee to
receive a promotion to any position at Denny's.
- Training of Employees and Agents
- Provided the Monitor approves Denny's existing non-
discrimination training program, within sixty (60) days
after entry of the Decree or retention of the Monitor,
whichever is later, Denny's, through the Monitor, shall submit to the United States for comment and approval and the
Plaintiff Class for comment that non-discrimination training
program and identify the person(s) and/or organization(s)
conducting the non-discrimination training program for the
instruction of all currently employed personnel including,
but not limited to, all Denny's officers, division vice-
presidents, regional directors of operations, regional
specialists, regional training managers, regional human
resource managers, district leaders, general managers,
restaurant managers, managers in training, servers,
hosts/hostesses, bus persons and security personnel ("All
Employees"). If the Monitor does not approve of the
existing non-discrimination training program, within ninety
(90) days subsequent to the entry of this Decree or
retention of the Monitor, whichever is later, Denny's,
through the Monitor, shall submit to the United States for
approval and counsel for the Plaintiff Class for comment a
proposed non-discrimination training program for instruction
of All Employees.
If the United States approves the existing non-discrimination training program, within ninety (90) days of the
date of approval by the United States, the existing non-discrimination training program shall be presented live to all
management personnel who have not had non-discrimination
training pursuant to the Original Decree, including, but not
limited to, all Denny's officers, division vice-presidents,
regional directors of operations, regional specialists,
regional training managers, regional human resource
managers, district leaders, general managers, restaurant
managers and managers in training.
If a new non-discrimination training program is
approved pursuant to this Decree and the Monitor determines
that the existing non-discrimination training program,
though not approved by the Monitor, provided adequate
training, within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the
date of approval by the United States, the new non-
discrimination training program shall be presented live to
all management personnel who have not had non-discrimination
training pursuant to the Original Decree, including, but not
limited to, all Denny's officers, division vice-presidents,
regional directors of operations, regional specialists,
regional training managers, regional human resource
managers, district leaders, general managers, restaurant
managers and managers in training.
If a new non-discrimination training program is
approved pursuant to this Decree and the Monitor determines
that the existing non-discrimination training program was
inadequate, within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the
date of approval by the United States, the new non-
discrimination training program shall be presented live to
all management personnel including, but not limited to, all
Denny's officers, division vice-presidents, regional
directors of operations, regional specialists, regional
training managers, regional human resource managers,
district leaders, general managers, restaurant managers and
managers in training.
The non-discrimination training program may be provided
via the use of videotape to non-management personnel (e.g.,
hosts, servers, buspersons, security personnel), provided:
(i) the videotape entitled "What Color Am I" (which has been
approved for purposes of this litigation by the United
States) is approved by the Monitor, or if Denny's proposes
to use another tape in the place of "What Color Am I," it is
developed in consultation with the Monitor and is submitted
to the United States and Plaintiff Class as provided below;
and (ii) the employees are provided with the opportunity to
contact, via telephone or letter, a person who has been
trained to respond to the employees' questions or concerns
regarding the training. The Monitor shall provide such
persons with the training that the Monitor deems appropriate
to satisfy the question-and-answer requirement of this
paragraph. Pursuant to the Original Decree, the first
training session in each Region in California has been
attended by the Monitor under the Original Decree to ensure
compliance with the Decree. Non-management employees who
were trained using "What Color Am I" under the terms of the
Original Decree are not required to undergo training under
this Decree, provided, however, that if the Monitor determines that "What Color Am I" is inadequate for the purposes
of training non-management employees, all such non-management employees will have to be retrained.
If Denny's proposes to replace "What Color Am I" with
another videotape, Denny's shall submit the outline and a
script of a proposed videotape to the United States for preliminary approval and counsel for the Plaintiff Class for
review. If the United States does not object within fifteen
(15) days of receipt of the outline and script of any
videotape proposed for use in training non-management
employees, Denny's may produce the proposed videotape. If
the United States objects, the parties shall endeavor, in
good faith, to resolve all issues concerning the proposed
videotape pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure,
before bringing such matters before the Court. After the
videotape is produced from the approved outline and script,
Denny's shall submit the videotape to the United States for
approval and counsel for the Plaintiff Class for review. If
the United States does not object within fifteen (15) days
of receipt of the videotape proposed for use in training
non-management employees, Denny's may utilize the proposed
videotape. If the United States objects, the parties shall
endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues concerning
the proposed videotape pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court.
Defendants shall have proprietary rights in all
training materials and programs developed pursuant to the
Decree. All non-discrimination training programs pursuant
to this Decree shall be created by or under the supervision
of the Monitor or such other person(s) experienced in
handling interracial problems or who have received or will
receive instruction or training to handle such problems.
The programs shall explain to all currently employed
personnel their duties and obligations under Title II of the
1964 Civil Rights Act and this Consent Decree. At a
minimum, the non-discrimination training programs shall
include the following: (i) instruction on the requirements
of all applicable federal public accommodations laws; (ii) a
review of Denny's non-discrimination policies and of the
specific requirements of this Consent Decree; (iii) notice
that Denny's cannot and will not reprimand, penalize, or
otherwise retaliate in any way against any officer, employee
or agent for opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in
the service and/or treatment of customers, in violation of
applicable law and/or this Decree; (iv) instruction in procedures designed to ensure that neither race nor color
enters, either directly or indirectly, into the process of
making decisions concerning the treatment and/or service of
customers; (v) a discussion of the business advantages of
serving all persons on a non-discriminatory basis; (vi)
training in racial sensitivity; (vii) provided the non-
discrimination training program is presented live, a question and answer session for the purpose of reviewing each of
the foregoing areas; and (viii) training of management in
dealing with complaints.
If the United States does not object within fifteen
(15) days of receipt of any proposed non-discrimination
training program, to the program or to the person or organization conducting the training program, Denny's may implement the non-discrimination training program. If the
United States objects, the parties shall endeavor, in good
faith, to resolve all issues concerning the proposed non-
discrimination training programs pursuant to the Dispute
Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters before
the Court.
In the event that counsel for the Plaintiff Class
objects to any proposed non-discrimination training program
or to the person or organization conducting the training
program, and the United States does not address the objection to the satisfaction of counsel for the Plaintiff
Class, counsel for the Plaintiff Class may seek to address
the issue through the Dispute Resolution Procedure, or, if a
satisfactory resolution of the issue is not reached through
the procedure, through the Court.
- Within thirty (30) days of the approval of any
videotapes other than "What Color Am I" by the United
States, Denny's, with the assistance of the Monitor, shall
implement the non-discrimination training program required
by subparagraph a. above.
- Each newly hired officer,
employee or agent shall also receive training of the type
described in subparagraph a. above. The additional training
shall be provided within forty-five (45) days of the new
officer, employee or agent's commencement date.
- Each officer, employee or agent who participates
and receives instruction through the non-discrimination
training program set forth in subparagraphs a. - c. above
shall sign a statement in the form of Exhibit D to this Consent Decree, acknowledging that they have participated in
and completed the non-discrimination training program.
- For the duration of this Decree, Denny's also shall
include instruction regarding Denny's duties and obligations
under Title II of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and this Consent
Decree, in all written training materials and formal
training sessions dealing with treatment of the public
provided in the ordinary course of business to its officers,
employees or agents. Such instruction shall be developed by
the Monitor and include a statement that Denny's cannot and
will not reprimand, penalize, or otherwise retaliate against
any officer, employee or agent for opposing or reporting
alleged discrimination in the service and/or treatment of
customers, in violation of applicable law and/or this
Decree.
- Articles selected by the Monitor on the subjects of
diversity, racial sensitivity and/or race relations shall be
published a minimum of four (4) times per year in the
Denny's Newsletter during the period in which this Decree is
in effect.
- Notice to and Training of Franchisees
- Within thirty (30) days of the entry of this
Decree, Denny's shall provide each of its franchisees
nationwide with a copy of the Decree (and obtain a return
receipt) and a letter informing them of their obligation to
comply with Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and
Section VI of this Decree. The letter shall explain that
Denny's has entered into the Decree and is committed to a
policy of non-discrimination. The letter shall explain the
requirements of the Decree and, specifically, that appropriate employees of the franchisees will be required to
attend training sessions as set forth in the Decree.
- All new franchise agreements as to which offering
circulars are distributed by Denny's on or after June 1,
1994, shall expressly provide that a failure by the
franchisee to comply with Title II of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964 and this Consent Decree will constitute an act which
reflects materially and unfavorably upon the operation and
reputation of Denny's business and trademark and, if not
corrected, shall subject the franchisee to sanctions by
Denny's including, but not limited to, cancellation of the
franchise agreement. During the term of this Decree,
Denny's must inform the Monitor, the United States and
counsel for the Plaintiff Class within fifteen (15) days of
obtaining knowledge that any franchisee has failed to comply
with the Public Accommodations Act and/or the applicable
provisions of this Decree and the action, if any, taken by
Denny's. If the United States and/or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class objects to the action (or inaction) taken by
Denny's, the parties shall endeavor, in good faith, to
resolve all issues concerning the franchisee's violation of
this Decree pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure,
before bringing such matters before the Court.
- No later than thirty (30) days following the effective date of this Decree, Denny's shall amend its
Franchise Operations Manual pursuant to the applicable
section of Denny's franchise agreements to expressly require
all franchisees to comply with Title II of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the provisions of this Decree that are
applicable to franchisees. Pursuant to the applicable
sections of Denny's franchise agreements, a franchisee's
failure to comply with this amendment to the Franchise
Operations Manual shall subject the franchisee to sanctions
by Denny's including, but not limited to, cancellation of
the franchise agreement. During the term of this Decree,
Denny's must inform the Monitor, the United States and
counsel for the Plaintiff Class within fifteen (15) days of
obtaining knowledge of any franchisee who has failed to
comply with this amendment to the Franchise Operations
Manual and the action, if any, taken by Denny's. If the
United States and/or counsel for the Plaintiff Class objects
to the action (or inaction) taken by Denny's, the parties
shall endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues
concerning the franchisee's compliance with this amendment
to the Franchise Operations Manual pursuant to the Dispute
Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters before
the Court.
- In addition to the provisions of subparagraphs a.
through c. above, pursuant to the applicable sections of
Denny's franchise agreements, Denny's shall consider any
failure of a franchisee to comply with Title II of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as determined by a final judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction, to be conduct which
reflects materially and unfavorably upon the operation and
reputation of Denny's business and trademark, and Denny's
shall therefore consider any such violation of the law by a
franchisee to be sufficient grounds for immediate termination of the franchise agreement in accordance with the
terms of the franchise agreement; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall require Denny's to terminate the franchise agreement where Denny's and the Monitor are satisfied
that the franchisee has taken appropriate steps to avoid
future violations of the Public Accommodations Act. If the
United States and/or counsel for the Plaintiff Class objects
to the action (or inaction) taken by Denny's, the parties
shall endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues concerning the franchisee pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court.
- Pursuant to the appropriate section of the Denny's
franchise agreement, Denny's shall apply the non-
discrimination training program requirements set forth in
subsections 2.a. - d. above to its franchisees. Accordingly, within thirty (30) days of the implementation of the
non-discrimination training program outlined in subsections
2.a. - d. above, Denny's shall give each franchisee written
notice, pursuant to the appropriate section of the franchise
agreement, of the commencement of such non-discrimination
training program. Denny's shall require all existing and
newly hired General Managers, Restaurant Managers, Managers
in Training, Servers, Hosts/Hostesses, buspersons and
security personnel employed by Denny's franchisees to attend
the non-discrimination training program as set forth in
subsections 2.a. - d. With respect to live training of
management personnel, Denny's shall satisfy this provision
by providing timely notice to franchisees of the dates and
locations of live training sessions in their division and
informing them that management personnel are required to
attend the live training. However, the Monitor may excuse a
franchisee from the requirement that management personnel
receive live training, and may instead require such
management personnel to undergo training in a different
manner, such as video and/or tele-conference training. In
determining whether a franchisee's manager may be excused
from receiving live training, the Monitor shall consider the
burden and cost to the franchisee as well as the purposes of
the Decree and the franchisee's restaurant's past record of
complaint activity and testing results. Denny's shall
impose no charge on the franchisees for conducting such non-
discrimination training program. All management personnel
of Denny's franchisees whose restaurant location is 100
miles or less from a site where live training is provided
must attend live training.
- The United States and the Plaintiff Class shall not
seek to hold Denny's in violation of the Consent Decree for
the refusal of a franchisee to participate in the non-
discrimination training program set forth above, provided
that Denny's has made best efforts to secure compliance on
the part of the franchisee. However, Denny's shall provide
the Monitor, the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff
Class with the name and location of any Denny's franchisee
which refuses or fails to participate in the training
sessions within fifteen (15) days of when Denny's first
receives knowledge of such refusal or failure.
- Notice to the Public and Advertising
Denny's shall inform the public generally and all potential
customers specifically of their non-discrimination policies as
follows:
- Pursuant to the Original Decree, Denny's has posted at
each public entrance to its restaurants, and in a location
clearly visible to patrons, a sign indicating that the facilities
are open and that service will be provided to all persons without
regard to race or color. The sign has dark letters at least one
inch (1") high on a contrasting background. Denny's and any
successor in interest shall maintain these signs at all times
that this Decree is in effect. Denny's or any successor-in-
interest shall cause to be posted in any new company-owned
restaurants such signs when any such restaurants open.
- Pursuant to the appropriate provision of the franchise
agreement, Denny's shall require each of its franchise
restaurants to display the sign in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 1. The United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class shall not seek to hold Denny's in violation of
the Consent Decree for the refusal of a franchisee to display the
sign, provided that Denny's has made best efforts to secure
compliance on the part of the franchisee. However, Denny's shall
provide the Monitor, the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class with the name and location of any Denny's franchisee
which refuses or fails to display the sign within fifteen (15)
days of Denny's knowledge of such refusal or failure.
- With the exception of highway billboards, Department of
Transportation highway signs, and advertisements or promotional
materials that appear in individual Denny's restaurants, the non-
discrimination statement described above in paragraph 1 shall be
readily legible in all written media (newspapers, magazines, posters, brochures, fliers, etc.). The statement shall appear in a
type size that conforms to the following requirements:
- Where other parts of the advertisement or promotional statement appear in only one type size, the nondis-
crimination statement must also appear in the same type
size;
- Where other parts of the advertisement or promotional statement appear in two sizes, the nondiscrimination statement may appear in either type size; and
- Where other parts of the advertisement or promotional statement appear in three or more type sizes, the
nondiscrimination statement shall appear in the next to
smallest type size.
- All menus and nationally distributed brochures (e.g.,
Denny's Travel Guide) shall contain the nondiscrimination statement described in paragraph 1 above. The statement shall appear
in a type size that conforms to the requirements set forth in
subparagraphs 3.a. - c. above.
- Pursuant to the Original Decree, Denny's has developed
and placed newspaper advertisements in the San Jose Mercury News,
San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Oakland Tribune, San
Diego Union, and Los Angeles Times that comply with Paragraph 3
above, and such advertisements have run for four (4) days at
least twice during the period of April 1, 1993 through March 31,
1994. To help ensure that non-white persons are notified that
they are welcome as customers of Denny's Restaurants, Denny's,
for the period that this Decree is in effect, shall, in consultation with the Civil Rights Monitor, continue to place newspaper
advertisements for Denny's Restaurants in the San Jose Mercury News,
San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, Oakland Tribune, San
Diego Union, and Los Angeles Times, that comply with paragraph 3 above. The first set of advertisements shall be
developed no later than sixty (60) days following the retention
of the Monitor. The placement of such advertisements shall begin
no later than thirty (30) days following the development of the
advertisements, and shall be run for four (4) days at least two
(2) times per year. The size of the advertisement shall equal or
exceed a quarter of a page. The advertisements containing the
nondiscrimination statement may be of the type and nature customarily used by Denny's to advertise its products and/or
services.
- Beginning with the effective date of this Decree, a
minimum of thirty (30%) of the aggregate total of persons
appearing annually in all newspaper advertisements and all other
promotional materials including, but not limited to, brochures,
flyers, coupons, or any other materials (collectively "advertisements") that depict persons shall be identifiably non-white. At
least twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate total shall be
identifiably African-American. With the exception of advertisements that feature a sole spokesperson, advertisements that
solely feature non-white persons shall not be utilized in the
computation of the above percentages. The computation of the
percentage shall specifically exclude advertisements in which the
"Corlick Sisters" are the only persons that are featured.
- With respect to television commercials, African-
American persons shall be principally featured as employees
or customers a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of the
time during which any employees or customers of Denny's are
depicted. This percentage shall be computed by dividing the
number of seconds each African-American person is depicted
as a customer or employee in a television commercial by the
number of seconds any person is depicted as a customer or
employee in a television commercial. The computation of
this percentage shall specifically exclude television
commercials in which the "Corlick Sisters" are the only
persons that are featured.
- During each one-year period in which this Decree is
in effect, any principals depicted as employees or customers
in television commercials shall be identifiably non-white
persons, other than African-Americans, a minimum of five
percent (5%) of the time during which any employees or
customers of Denny's are depicted during each one-year
period; or, in the alternative, a minimum of five percent
(5%) of the total number of principals depicted as employees
or customers during each one-year period shall be
identifiably non-white persons, other than African-
Americans. The five percent (5%) of the time measure shall
be calculated by the same method used to calculate the time
during which African-Americans are depicted as customers or
employees, except that the measure shall be applied to all
commercials aired during each one-year period, not to each
commercial aired. The five percent (5%) of the principals
measure shall be calculated based upon all commercials aired
during each one-year period, not as to each commercial
aired. The computation of this percentage shall specifically exclude television commercials in which the "Corlick
Sisters" are the only persons that are featured.
- All advertisements called for in this section shall be
distributed in a nondiscriminatory manner to convey the message
that non-white persons are welcome as customers at all Denny's
Restaurants.
- Testing of Denny's Restaurants and its franchisees
nationwide shall be conducted to monitor Denny's practices at its
restaurants and franchises. The costs and expense of all tests
shall be paid by Denny's.
- No fewer than 450 tests per year, excluding California,
shall be conducted during the first two (2) years of this Consent
Decree. The tests shall be conducted by an independent civil
rights organization experienced in testing selected by the
Monitor, with the approval of the United States. Within ninety
(90) days of the entry of this Decree or retention of the
Monitor, whichever is later, the Monitor shall notify the United
States of the names of independent civil rights organizations it
proposes to use to satisfy the requirements of this section. If
the United States does not object within fifteen (15) days of
receipt of this information, Denny's may select the organizations
proposed. If the United States objects, the parties shall
endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues concerning the
appropriateness of the civil rights testing organizations
pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing
such matters before the Court.
- No fewer than 175 tests during the first year and no
less than 150 tests during the second year must be conducted
during the term of this Decree in California. The tests shall be
conducted by independent civil rights organizations experienced
in testing selected by Denny's, with the approval of the United
States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class as provided in section VIIIB.
- If, at any time after tests have been conducted for two
years, the Monitor determines that a smaller number of tests per
year are adequate to accomplish the purpose of the testing
provided for in this Decree, the Monitor may reduce the numbers
of tests conducted to 300 tests per year outside of California
and 100 tests per year in California for the remaining term of
this Decree with the written approval of the United States and
counsel for the Plaintiff Class (approval of Plaintiff Class
limited to California tests only). Such consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. If the United States and/or counsel for
the Plaintiff Class withhold such approval, and Denny's objects,
the parties shall endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues
concerning approval of a reduction in the number of tests per
year pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before
bringing such matters before the Court.
- Nothing in this Decree shall prevent the United States
and/or counsel for the Plaintiff Class from utilizing their own
testers to monitor Denny's practices during the term of this
Decree at their own expense. However, nothing contained in this
paragraph shall be construed to prevent the United States or
counsel for the Plaintiff Class from recovering attorneys' fees
and costs in connection with a successful motion to enforce the
Decree. Such costs may include the cost of testing conducted at
the direction of the United States and/or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class in connection with the successful motion to
enforce the Decree. The United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class also shall not be prevented from conducting non-
testing investigations that include, but are not limited to, onsite observation of Denny's Restaurants and the treatment and
service provided to customers, provided such investigations do
not interfere with the normal business operations of the unit.
- The testing organizations may, at their discretion,
consult with the Monitor, the United States and/or counsel for
the Plaintiff Class regarding the timing, location and manner in
which the tests will be conducted. However, the testing
organizations, the Monitor, the United States or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class may not, under any circumstances, disclose to
Denny's the timing and/or location of a test conducted pursuant
to this Section before the test has been completed.
- The results of all tests conducted pursuant to this
section and supporting documentation, if requested, shall be
reported to the Monitor, Denny's, the United States, and counsel
for the Plaintiff Class. Where such results indicate a possible
violation of this Consent Decree (i.e., disparate treatment on
the basis of race or color), the Monitor shall conduct an
investigation of the facts and circumstances underlying such
tests. Within fifteen (15) days of the completion of his or her
investigation, the Monitor shall provide Denny's, the United
States and counsel for Plaintiff Class with a report containing
his or her conclusions and recommendations, if any, made to
Denny's. Denny's shall respond or implement the Monitor's
recommendations within fifteen (15) days of their receipt. If
Denny's disagrees with or refuses to implement the Monitor's
recommendations, the Monitor and the other parties shall attempt,
in good faith, to resolve such potential breaches of this Decree
pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, prior to bringing
the matters before the Court.
- MONITORING, RECORD-KEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
- Civil Rights Monitor
- In order to ensure equal access to Denny's franchised and company-owned restaurants for all persons on a
nondiscriminatory basis, a Civil Rights Monitor shall be selected
within seventy-five (75) days from the effective date of the
Decree's injunctive provisions. The selection shall be made
pursuant to the provisions set forth below.
The purpose of the Monitor is to ensure that this Decree is
implemented effectively and to assist the United States and
Plaintiff Class in monitoring defendants' compliance with this
Decree. Although Denny's must pay the costs and expenses associated with the Monitor's position and his or her duties, the
Monitor is responsible to the Court, the United States and Plaintiff Class. The Monitor may at any time consult with the United
States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class regarding Denny's
compliance with this Decree. The Monitor shall consult with
Denny's primarily through Denny's designated officer, but may
also consult with other Denny's employees as required by this
Decree or as the Monitor deems necessary or appropriate.
The Monitor shall provide Denny's with information concerning Denny's compliance with the Decree within a reasonable
time after a request for such information is made by Denny's.
The Monitor, however, may withhold any information from Denny's
he or she reasonably determines is necessary, provided he or she
informs Denny's of the nature of the information and the
reason(s) it is being withheld within ten (10) days of Denny's
request. If Denny's objects within ten (10) days of being
informed of the withheld information, Denny's shall endeavor to
resolve all issues concerning the withheld information, pursuant
to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters
before the Court.
In the event the Monitor determines that there is reasonable
cause to believe that an act of discrimination has occurred in
violation of the Public Accommodations Act and/or this Decree, he
or she shall notify Denny's, the United States and counsel for
the Plaintiff Class within fifteen (15) days of such determination and provide all relevant documents upon request.
A copy of all communications (e.g., letters, memoranda,
etc.) between Denny's and the Monitor shall be provided to both
the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class, except
where the Monitor determines that providing copies of certain
documents would be an unwarranted burden and so informs the
parties. The Monitor shall direct all questions concerning interpretation of this Decree to the United States and counsel for
the Plaintiff Class. The Monitor shall implement the Decree as
directed by both the United States and Plaintiff Class. Within
three (3) business days of being advised of the United States'
and Plaintiff Class' interpretation of the Decree, the Monitor
shall send a letter to Denny's, with a copy to the United States
and counsel for the Plaintiff Class, informing Denny's of
Plaintiffs' interpretation of the Decree and of his or her intent
to implement the Decree as directed within fifteen (15) days of
the date of the letter. If Denny's does not object within ten
(10) calendar days of the date of the letter, the Monitor shall
implement the Decree as directed by the United States and counsel
for the Plaintiff Class. If Denny's objects, the parties shall
endeavor, in good faith, to resolve all issues concerning the
interpretation of the Decree pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court.
- As of the date of the filing of this Decree, the parties
have been working cooperatively toward selection of a person to
serve as the Monitor and, to the extent possible, that selection
shall be made through a consensus of all of the parties. In the
event the parties are unable to reach an agreement as to the
selection of the Monitor, the selection of the Monitor shall be
made by Denny's subject to the approval of the United States and
counsel for the Plaintiff Class, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. The United States and/or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class may, at their discretion, interview the person
proposed by Denny's. If the United States and/or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class has any objection to Denny's proposed appointment, the objecting party shall notify Denny's within ten
(10) days of receipt of the name and resume. If any disputes
arise concerning the selection of the Monitor, the parties shall
attempt to resolve them pursuant to the Dispute Resolution
Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court. Except
upon approval by both the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class, Denny's may not offer or guarantee the Monitor
employment, in any form, including a position as a consultant or
independent contractor, for a period of five (5) years following
the expiration of this Decree.
- The Monitor's qualifications shall include, but not be
limited to, the following: (1) familiarity with and experience
in the monitoring and enforcement of civil rights, specifically
in the areas of race and ethnicity; and (2) familiarity with and
experience in the education and training of employees in (a)
civil rights laws, specifically in the areas of race and
ethnicity and (b) the requirements of compliance with consent
decrees or court orders. Preference shall be given to an
individual who (1) is familiar with and experienced in testing
procedures used to determine compliance with civil rights laws,
specifically in the areas of race and ethnicity; and (2) is an
attorney with experience in civil rights and the monitoring and
enforcement of consent decrees or court orders. If Denny's is
unable to locate a person who satisfies the above qualifications,
Denny's shall certify that it has made a diligent effort to
locate someone suitably qualified. The certification shall set
forth in detail the steps Denny's took in attempting to locate
someone for the Monitor's position. After such certification has
been filed with the Court, the parties shall meet within fourteen
(14) days of the filing of such certification to discuss revision
of the qualifications and/or other candidates who may be suitable
for the Monitor's position. If the parties are unable to reach
an agreement as to the qualifications and/or hiring of the
Monitor, the parties shall attempt to resolve the matter pursuant
to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters
before the Court.
- The Monitor's job duties shall include, but not be
limited to, the following: (1) preparation of all reports called
for under the terms of this Consent Decree; (2) in-house monitoring and supervision of progress towards compliance with this
Decree; (3) monitoring of the testing program; (4) investigating
complaints regarding the treatment or service of customers who
believe they have been discriminated against, or subjected to unequal treatment due to their race or color, or witnessed others
being discriminated against due to the race or color of those
persons; (5) investigating complaints by Denny's employees who
believe they have witnessed discriminatory actions regarding
customer service or treatment by other Denny's employees and/or
managers or believe they have themselves been pressured to discriminate against customers by other Denny's employees and/or
managers; (6) providing the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class any relevant information known to or available to
the Monitor under any provision of this Decree upon reasonable
request; (7) preparing a written semi-annual report for
submission to the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff
Class on or before June 30 and December 31 of each year beginning
December 31, 1994, which shall describe at a minimum: (i) the
activities and/or investigations of complaints, if any, undertaken by the Monitor in the preceding six months; (ii) the
compliance and progress of the non-discrimination training
programs; (iii) the results of tests conducted by the independent
civil rights organization(s) during the preceding six months; and
(iv) setting objectives for the next six months to eliminate any
concerns of discrimination which the Monitor has identified; (8)
meeting and conferring with counsel for the parties to consider
suggestions for implementing the spirit and letter of this Decree
and to clarify any information contained in the Monitor's
reports; and (9) to provide reasonable cooperation to all parties
in implementing the provisions and purposes of this Decree.
- Denny's shall provide the Monitor with appropriate support staff and resources to carry out his or her duties
effectively. In carrying out his or her duties and making
recommendations, the Monitor shall take into consideration the
cost-effectiveness of methods for implementing the purposes and
provisions of this Decree. Nothing shall require or preclude the
Monitor from selecting the most economical method for implementing the provisions of the Decree. The United States
and/or counsel for the Plaintiff Class may at any time evaluate
the Monitor's support staff and resources. If the Monitor and/or
the United States and/or Plaintiff Class believes that the
Monitor's support staff and resources are inadequate to carry out
the provisions and purposes of this Decree, that party shall
attempt to resolve those issues with Denny's pursuant to the
Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters before
the Court.
- Upon agreement of all parties to this Decree, the
Monitor may be removed upon thirty (30) days notice. Any party
may seek the removal of the Monitor on the ground that the
Monitor has repeatedly failed to perform adequately any duties
established by this Decree in such a manner as to undermine
substantially the achievement of the purposes and provisions of
this Decree. To the extent practicable, the objecting party
shall give the Monitor an opportunity to cure any deficiency
prior to seeking his or her removal. Also, prior to seeking the
Monitor's removal by the Court, the objecting party shall meet
and confer with all other parties, pursuant to the Dispute
Resolution Procedure, to seek their concurrence in the Monitor's
removal. If a new Monitor must be selected, the parties shall
follow the procedures set forth below.
- If, for any reason, it becomes necessary to replace the
Monitor, the parties shall attempt to select a new Monitor
through a process involving Denny's, the United States, counsel
for the Plaintiff Class and Class Counsel in the case of Dyson,
et al. v. Denny's, Inc., et al., United States District Court
Case No. DKC-93-1503 (D. Md.), and attempt to reach a consensus
on the most qualified person available. If this process does not
result in an agreement as to the selection of the new Monitor,
the selection of the new Monitor shall be made by Denny's subject
to the approval of the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. The United States and/or counsel for the Plaintiff
Class may, at their discretion, interview the person proposed by
Denny's. If the United States and/or counsel for the Plaintiff
Class have any objection to Denny's proposed appointment, the objecting party shall notify Denny's within ten (10) days of
receipt of the name and resume. If any disputes arise concerning
the appointment of the Monitor, the parties shall attempt to resolve them voluntarily, pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing such matters before the Court. Except
upon approval by both the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class, Denny's may not offer or guarantee the Monitor
employment, in any form, including a position as a consultant or
independent contractor, for a period of five (5) years following
the expiration of this Decree.
- The Monitor shall be responsible for investigating all
complaints of discrimination against customers on the basis of
race or color in Denny's restaurants and franchisees after May
24, 1994. All complaints received by Denny's after May 24, 1994,
concerning discrimination in the service of customers shall be
directed to the Monitor for investigation.
Any obligation of Denny's to investigate claims of discrimination in the service and/or treatment of customers on the
basis of race or color shall be satisfied by Denny's referral of
such claims to the Monitor. However, nothing contained in this
Decree shall prohibit Denny's from conducting its own
investigation of allegations of discrimination in the service
and/or treatment of customers on the basis of race or color,
provided such investigation does not interfere with the Monitor's
investigation. In the event that Denny's, after receiving notice
of a complaint from the Monitor (see Section IXC.4. below) or
otherwise, desires to investigate a complaint of discrimination,
Denny's shall notify the Monitor of its intention to investigate
the complaint. The Monitor shall have ten (10) days from the
date of receipt of Denny's notice of intention to investigate in
which to object to the undertaking and timing of an investigation
of a particular complaint by Denny's. If the Monitor objects,
and Denny's and the Monitor are unable to resolve whether and/or
when Denny's should investigate a particular complaint, then
Denny's shall attempt to resolve the matter with the Monitor pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure, before bringing such
matter before the Court. A contemporaneous on-site inquiry by a
restaurant level manager or restaurant level supervisor into a
complaint of discrimination shall not be deemed an investigation
for purposes of this subsection.
- As part of the Monitor's preparation to perform his or
her duties under this Decree, the Monitor shall spend two (2)
weeks within the first three (3) months of his or her employment
working and observing in one or more Denny's Restaurants. During
the two week period, the Monitor shall be exposed to all
restaurant operations and shifts, including, without limitation,
weekend and "late-night" or "graveyard" shifts.
- Record-Keeping
- Record-Keeping in General
The parties acknowledge that certain information provided
pursuant to this Decree is required for the sole purpose of
investigating, monitoring and enforcing Denny's compliance with
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and this Decree. All
records, reports and other documents maintained or produced
pursuant to the terms of this Decree shall be kept confidential
and used and/or disclosed solely for the purposes of this Decree.
The Monitor, Denny's, the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class shall not disclose such information to any person
not a party to this Decree, except as is reasonably necessary to
enforce, monitor or administer the provisions of this Decree or
to comply with otherwise applicable laws. Any inadvertent
disclosure of such confidential information to a person not a
party to this Decree shall not constitute contempt unless such
disclosure was willful.
If the Monitor, the United States and/or counsel for the
Plaintiff Class desire to disclose information made confidential
by this section for any purpose other than to enforce or monitor
the purposes and provisions of this Decree or to comply with
otherwise applicable laws, that party shall notify the other
parties to this Decree of the information it seeks to disclose
and the reasons for disclosing it. The United States is required
to notify the other parties of its intention to disclose
information only to the extent required by applicable law and
regulation. Thereafter, the parties shall attempt to resolve all
issues concerning the disclosure of such information pursuant to
the Dispute Resolution Procedure.
- Application of Attorney-Client Privilege And Work-Product Doctrine
Nothing in this Decree shall be construed as a waiver of
attorney-client privilege or attorney work-product doctrine by
defendants, nor shall defendants be obligated to report on or
disclose information that is protected by the attorney-client
privilege and/or attorney work-product doctrine, provided,
however, that if the Monitor uses the services of an attorney, or
of an employee or agent of an attorney, to assist in the investigation of a complaint of discrimination pursuant to this
Decree, no statements, reports, summaries, recommendations,
documents and/or other information and materials created and/or
collected as a result of the investigation shall be subject to
any privilege, including but not limited to, the attorney-client
and attorney work-product privileges, even if the attorney is
employed by defendants; accordingly, no such documents, information or materials created and/or collected in the course of
complaint investigation directed by the Monitor shall be withheld
from the United States, counsel for the Plaintiff Class or the
Monitor on the basis of privilege. The parties stipulate that
all attorneys and employees and agents of attorneys who are
retained by the Monitor to assist in the investigation of
complaints of discrimination shall be deemed to be retained for
purposes other than the provision of legal advice. The parties
further stipulate that all statements, reports, summaries,
recommendations, documents, and/or other information and
materials created and/or collected in the course of such an
investigation shall be deemed to be made, prepared or compiled
for purposes other than the anticipation of litigation.
- Civil Rights Monitor
For the duration of this Decree, the Civil Rights Monitor
shall maintain the following records (or other computerized
counterparts):
- Records of all oral and written, formal and
informal complaints of discrimination on the basis of race
or color concerning Denny's service and treatment of
customers filed or submitted by any customer, potential
customer, or employee. This paragraph shall apply to all
complaints, letters, or notices filed or submitted to any of
Denny's or Flagstar Corporation's officers, employees or
agents, including, but not limited to, all complaints submitted to Denny's franchisees, Flagstar Corporation's
corporate headquarters and divisional offices.
- All records relating to written, video or oral
training materials, including but not limited to, non-
discrimination training program materials, instructions,
directives, guidelines, policy statements, and formal
training sessions provided to all Denny's personnel.
- Representative copies of all advertisements and
promotional materials in all media and all records relating
to the dates and/or times and media where such advertisements or promotional material appeared and where and how
such materials were disseminated and distributed.
- All records and results derived from and relating
to any and all tests conducted pursuant to Section VIII of this Decree.
- All records relating to implementation of any provision of this Consent Decree.
No later than three (3) months following the expiration of
the Decree, the Monitor shall provide Denny's with all the
documents and records collected during the term of the Decree.
Upon request, the Monitor shall provide the United States and/or
counsel for the Plaintiff Class with a copy of all the documents
and records collected during the term of the Decree.
- Denny's
Denny's shall not destroy or dispose of any documents or
records it creates or generates, or receives from the Monitor,
that pertain to the Decree for the period set forth below.
Denny's shall maintain all documents and records provided by the
Monitor as well as all documents and records maintained and/or
generated by Denny's that pertain to the Decree for a period of
five (5) years following the date the Monitor provides Denny's
with all the documents and records.
For a period not to exceed six (6) months beyond the
expiration of this Decree, the United States and counsel for the
Plaintiff Class shall, upon ten (10) days notice, be permitted to
inspect and copy any of the records described in the Record-
Keeping provisions of this Consent Decree.
- Complaints of Discrimination Under the Original Decree
With respect to complaints alleging discrimination in the
service or treatment of customers that arise from incidents at
Denny's franchised and company-owned restaurants on or before May
24, 1994, the Monitor will not be required to investigate such
complaints because this Decree is intended to settle any
legitimate claims asserted in such complaints. However, to the
extent such information is available to Denny's, Denny's shall
provide the Monitor with a report indicating the name of any
individual who has complained of discrimination in the service or
treatment of customers, the date of the alleged incident of
discrimination, and the location of the alleged incident. To aid
Denny's in its effort to assure that there is no discrimination
in its franchised and company-owned restaurants, the Monitor
shall review the report for the purpose of determining if the
alleged incidents of discrimination suggest a pattern or practice
of discrimination in the service or treatment of customers in any
particular division, region, district, restaurant or franchisee
of Denny's. If the Monitor determines that the complaints
suggest such a pattern or practice or otherwise concludes that a
complaint warrants further investigation, the Monitor shall
investigate such complaints to the extent necessary to ensure
that no discrimination in the service or treatment of customers
exists or that appropriate remedial action can be taken to
correct any such pattern or practice the Monitor may find.
- Reporting Provisions
- Preliminary Meeting
No later than ninety (90) days following the commencement of
employment by the Monitor, the Monitor and counsel for all
parties shall attend a preliminary meeting at a location
designated by the Monitor. The purpose of the meeting is, among
other things, for the Monitor to describe the activities that
have been and will be taken with respect to the implementation of
the Decree and for the parties' counsel to discuss any relevant
issues concerning the implementation of the Decree.
In addition to the preliminary meeting, the Monitor, as he
or she deems appropriate, may schedule meetings and/or conference
calls with the parties' counsel to discuss any relevant issues
concerning the implementation and enforcement of the Decree.
- Semi-Annual Reports
No later than December 31, 1994, and every six months thereafter for the duration of the Decree, the Monitor shall serve on
the United States, counsel for the Plaintiff Class and Denny's a
report containing the following information:
- A list of all advertisements and promotional
materials which were published, printed, disseminated or
aired during the reporting period, together with a statement
indicating the dates and media where it appeared and where
and how promotional materials were disseminated or distributed. With respect to television commercials, Denny's
shall verify the depiction of human persons by providing the
Monitor, counsel for the United States and Plaintiff Class
with the following information:
- A videotape and list of all commercials
produced during the preceding six months;
- The total number of employees and customers
depicted as principals in each commercial, broken down
by race, and the amount of time each person appears as
a principal;
- The number and location of market(s) in
which each of the commercials aired;
- The first report shall include a certification that
the non-discrimination training program required in section
VIIC2.a. - e. above has been or is scheduled for completion,
and the whereabouts of copies of all employee
acknowledgments required by this Decree.
- Each report thereafter shall contain a description
of all training activity conducted pursuant to section
VIIC.2. above which has occurred during the reporting period
along with copies of all written materials distributed or
any videotapes produced.
- Each report shall contain the results of all
testing conducted pursuant to section VIII of the Decree.
- Reports To Testing Organizations
No later than December 31, 1994, and every six months thereafter for the duration of the Decree, the Monitor shall serve on
the appropriate testing organization(s), a report which contains
the dates, restaurant locations and a description of complaints
of alleged discrimination at Denny's restaurants or franchisees
received by the Monitor during the preceding six (6) months.
- Reports Re: Complaints Of Discrimination
No later than sixty (60) days following the retention of the
Monitor, and every sixty (60) days thereafter, the Monitor shall
serve on Denny's, the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff
Class a report of all complaints of discrimination received
within the sixty (60) days. Each report shall contain details of
any complaint received by the Monitor during the preceding sixty
(60) days, charging or alleging discrimination, on the ground of
race or color, with respect to service or treatment of customers
at any Denny's restaurant or franchises, including a description
of any action taken in response to such complaint.
- Dispute Resolution Procedure
- If differences arise between any of the parties and/or
the Monitor with respect to Denny's compliance with, interpretation of, or implementation of the terms of this Decree,
an earnest effort shall be made by the parties to resolve such
differences promptly in accordance with the following Dispute
Resolution Procedure:
- If one party believes an issue must be resolved, it
shall promptly notify the other party in writing of the issue and
the facts and circumstances relied upon in asserting its
position. The party notified of the issue shall be given a
reasonable period of time (not to exceed fifteen (15) days) to
review the facts and circumstances and to provide the party
raising the issue with its written position including the facts
and circumstances upon which it relies in asserting its position.
Within a reasonable period of time thereafter (not to exceed
fifteen (15) days), the parties shall meet, by telephone or in
person, and attempt to resolve the issue informally. If a party
believes that resolution cannot be achieved following a meeting
to discuss the dispute, the party shall promptly notify the other
party in writing that it is terminating discussions, and shall
specify its final position with regard to resolving the dispute.
- Nothing in this Section shall prevent any party from
promptly bringing an issue before the Court when, in the moving
party's view, the facts and circumstances require immediate court
action. The moving party's papers shall explain the facts and
circumstances that necessitate immediate court action. If any
party brings a matter before the Court requiring immediate court
action, the opposing party(ies) shall be provided with
appropriate notice under the Local Rules of this District and the
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
- Monetary Settlement Fund
- Establishment of Monetary Settlement Fund: Defendants
shall pay the sum of $28,000,000.00 (twenty-eight million
dollars) ("Settlement Payment") to establish a fund to be used
for resolving monetary claims of the named plaintiffs and class
members in accordance with the procedures of this section.
Within ten (10) business days after preliminary approval of this
Consent Decree, Defendants shall deposit the Monetary Settlement
into a trustee account at a financial institution selected by
Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein under the control of Defendants
and Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein. Defendants may elect to
extend the date by which the monetary settlement must be
deposited into such account. Such extension, however, shall not
exceed beyond twenty (20) business days after preliminary
approval by the Court. For each day beyond ten (10) business
days after preliminary approval that the monetary settlement is
not deposited in the above-referenced account, defendants shall
pay interest at the rate of five percent (5%) annually. In the
event that this Decree is not finally approved by the Court,
within 10 (ten) days of issuance of an order denying Final
Approval, the Settlement Payment plus all interests and proceeds
therefrom shall be returned to Denny's.
- Allocation of Monetary Settlement Fund:The fund shall
be allocated in the following manner: $1,000,000.00 shall be allocated as a "Class Representative Fund" and used to pay equal
shares of $25,000.00 each to the named plaintiffs as identified
in the Second Amended Complaint, filed concurrently herewith;
$50,000.00 shall be allocated as a "Reserve Fund" to be used to
pay any otherwise valid claims which are excluded from the Class
Monetary Distribution through error or omission of the Class
Administrator, Class Counsel, defendants or their counsel; and
the balance, less any reduction for opt-outs in accordance with
the provisions of Paragraph 3 below, shall be allocated as the
"Class Fund" to pay claims of qualified class members who file
claims in accordance with the provisions of this Decree.
- Reduction of Opt-Outs: The Class Fund shall be reduced
by the sum of $3,000.00 (three thousand dollars) for each class
member who submits a timely opt-out statement to the Claims
Administrator pursuant to the procedures described in section
X.E.2. However, the Class Fund shall not be reduced for any opt-
out statement filed by any potential class member who has
retained counsel other than Class Counsel and initiated a lawsuit
or other legal proceeding against Denny's prior to May 24, 1994.
Nor shall the Class Fund be reduced by the filing of an opt-out
statement by any potential class member who affirmatively states
in his or her opt-out statement that he or she does not intend to
initiate a lawsuit or other legal proceedings against Denny's.
- Definition of the Class
- Plaintiff Class and Defendants hereby agree and stipulate that the class shall consist of all African-American customers of Denny's franchised and company-owned restaurants in
California and their companions who at any time commencing on
November 14, 1988 and ending on May 24, 1994 were subjected to
discriminatory customer treatment and/or service practices on the
basis of race or color, including but not limited to:
- Payment for meals prior to consumption ("prepayment");
- Payment of a "cover charge" prior to service;
- Denial of or delay in seating until after later-
arriving non African-American customers were seated or
served;
- Denial of a complimentary "birthday meal" or other promotional items or programs;
- Forced removal from the restaurant;
- Charges for services or food items for which non
African-American customers were not charged; and
- Other forms of differential service based on race or
color.
- Certification: The Plaintiff Class and Defendants agree and
stipulate that for purposes of settlement of monetary relief
claims, this case shall be certified under Federal Rule Civil
Procedure 23(a) and 23(b)(3), and under Federal Rule Civil Procedure 23(a) and 23(b)(2) for the purposes of settlement of injunctive relief claims.
- Class Counsel: The following law firms are designated as
Class Counsel through Final Approval:
Saperstein Mayeda & Goldstein
1300 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Public Interest Law Firm
111 West St. John, Suite 315
San Jose, CA 95113
The law firm of Saperstein Mayeda & Goldstein shall serve as
Class Counsel following Final Approval.
- Claims Administrator
- Selection of Third Party Claims Administrator: The parties
have jointly selected an organization to serve as the Denny's
California Class Action Claims Administrator ("Claims Administrator"). The Claims Administrator shall be an organization or
entity experienced and qualified in the administration of class
action monetary settlement distribution and/or claims
proceedings.
- Duties and Responsibilities:Instructions setting forth the
duties and responsibilities of the Claims Administrator shall be
filed with the Court and may be amended by agreement of the
Plaintiff Class and Defendants. The duties and responsibilities
of the Claims Administrator shall include: (1) all class notice,
claim form and monetary distribution mailings; (2) tracking the
return of claims forms; (3) arranging for tracing of class
members whose notices and/or checks are returned as undeliverable; (4) verifying the identity of class members; (5)
initial review of all claims, including obtaining supplemental
information from claimants; (6) notifying claimants whose claims
are disputed or rejected of their right to appeal to the Special
Master; (7) receiving and forwarding to the parties and the Court
all written objections and opt-out statements; (8) reporting to
the Plaintiff Class and Defendants and the Court on the distribution process; (9) verifying fund balances; (10) preparing
and submitting for review by the Special Master the final Class
Monetary Distribution List; (11) filing any tax returns required
to be filed on behalf of the Class Fund; and (12) such other
duties as agreed by the parties which are necessary to carry out
the provisions of this Consent Decree.
- Maintenance of Toll Free "800" Line: Beginning on May 24,
1994 and continuing until June 30, 1994, and between July 29,
1994 and August 15, 1994, the Claims Administrator shall maintain
and staff with live persons a toll free "800" line (1-800-836-
0055) to receive calls from potential class members between the
hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time),
Mondays through Fridays, and 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific
Standard Time), Saturday and Sunday. Between July 1, 1994 and
July 28, 1994, and from August 15, 1994 until the Claims
Administrator is relieved of its duties under this Decree, the
Claims Administrator shall maintain and staff with a live person
or persons a toll free "800" line to receive calls from potential
claimants between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (Pacific
Standard Time), Mondays through Fridays. At all other times
until the Claims Administrator is relieved of his duties under
the Decree, the line should be answered by a voicemail message
recording device. These hours of telephone coverage shall be
subject to revision and modification upon agreement of the
parties based on the recommendation of the Claims Administrator.
- Reports from the Administrator:The Claims Administrator
shall submit on a periodic basis as shall be agreed by the
Plaintiff Class and Defendants, reports of such activities as
shall be identified by the Plaintiff Class and Defendants. At
any time Class Counsel or Defendants may request from the Administrator and the Administrator shall provide copies of Claim
Forms, rejected claim data, requests for Special Master review of
claim determination, decisions by the Special Master and any and
all other documents or information related to this claims
procedure.
- Payment of the Administrator:
All fees and expenses of the
Administrator to implement and carry out the duties and responsibilities identified in Paragraph C.2., above, shall be paid by
defendants on a monthly basis.
- Notice
- Mailed Notice:Within ten (10) days after preliminary approval of the Consent Decree by the District Court, Class Counsel
shall prepare and deliver to Defendants and the Claims
Administrator a computer disk containing the names and last known
addresses or last known telephone numbers of all potential class
members who contacted Class Counsel prior to or during the
pendency of litigation ("Class Intake List").
Within twenty-one (21) days after receipt of the Class Intake
List from Class Counsel, the Claims Administrator shall cause to
be mailed, via first class mail, a notice, in the form of Exhibit
E hereto, and a Claim Form, and instructions, in the form of
Exhibit F hereto, to each person on the Class Intake List.
- Tracing of Mailed Notice: For each notice and claim form
mailed to persons on the Class Intake List and returned as undeliverable, the Claims Administrator shall, within twenty (20)
days after receipt of the undeliverable notice and claim form,
arrange through IRSC or a comparable service, for a computer
database trace for such potential class member and remail the
notice and Claim Form to any additional address obtained for such
potential class member. The costs of the IRSC or other
comparable search shall not exceed an average of $15.00 per
trace, and shall be billed by the Claims Administrator to and
paid monthly by defendants.
- Published Notice:
- Preliminary Approval: Within thirty (30) days of preliminary approval of the proposed Consent Decree by the Court,
Saperstein Mayeda & Goldstein shall cause to be published the
notice of settlement attached hereto as Exhibit G, in accordance
with and in the publications identified in the notification plan
attached hereto as Exhibit H. Defendants shall pay the costs for
such publication of notice.
- Final Approval: Within thirty (30) days of final approval of the proposed Consent Decree by the Court, Saperstein,
Mayeda & Goldstein shall cause to be published notice of settlement and claims process attached hereto as Exhibit I, in
accordance with and in the publications identified in the
notification plan attached hereto as Exhibit H. Defendants
shall pay the costs for such publication of notice. The
combined cost of published notice for Preliminary and Final
Approval shall not exceed $550,000.00 (Five hundred and fifty
thousand dollars).
- Provisions for Objections and Exclusions
- Objections:Potential class members who wish to present objections to the proposed settlement must do so in writing. Written objections must be received by the Claims Administrator on or
before July 18, 1994. Within three (3) days of receipt of a
written objection, the Claims Administrator shall file the
objection with the Clerk of the Court and serve copies of the
objection on Class Counsel and defendants. The Claims
Administrator shall retain copies of all written objections in
its files until such time as the Claims Administrator is relieved
of all duties and responsibilities under this Decree.
- Exclusions:Potential class members who wish to exclude
themselves from participation in the lawsuit and settlement must
do so in writing, by mailing to the Claims Administrator a signed
and dated written "Opt-Out" statement. The opt-out statement
must be received by the Claims Administrator on or before July
18, 1994. Within three (3) days of receipt of a written opt-out
statement, the Claims Administrator shall file the opt-out
statement with the Clerk of the Court and shall serve copies of
the statement on Class Counsel and defendants. The Claims
Administrator shall retain copies of all opt-out statements in
its files until it is relieved of all duties and responsibilities
under this Decree.
- Claims Procedure
- Eligible Class Members:
To be eligible for a monetary payment from the Class Fund, a class member must (i) file a timely
and valid claim in accordance with the provisions of this Decree,
and (ii) must not have opted out of the lawsuit.
To be a valid claim under this Decree, a claim must be filed by
an eligible class member and must state facts on which the Claims
Administrator and/or upon review, counsel for the Plaintiff Class
and/or the Special Master can determine that during the liability
period, the claimant was subjected to differential treatment
and/or services as a customer at a Denny's Restaurant in
California on account of the race or color of the claimant or his
or her companion.
- Distribution of Claim Forms:
Commencing on June 1, 1994,
and continuing through September 1, 1994, within seven (7) days
after receiving a written or telephone request for a Claim Form
from a potential class member, the Claims Administrator shall
mail a Claim Form to the class member. Thereafter, and until the
deadline, the Claims Administrator shall mail a Claim Form within
twenty-four hours after receiving a written or telephone request
for a Claim Form from a potential class member. Any written
request for Claim Forms received by Class Counsel, defendants or
their counsel, shall be forwarded to the Claims Administrator by
facsimile within forty-eight hours (excluding weekends) of its
receipt by the party, and commencing on June 1, 1994 and
continuing through September 1, 1994, within seven days and
thereafter, until the deadline for submission of Claim Forms,
within twenty-four hours of receipt by the Administrator, the
Administrator shall mail a Claim Form to the potential claimant.
Any claimant who telephones Class Counsel, Defendants or their
counsel and requests a Claim Form, shall immediately be referred
to the Claims Administrator.
- Filing of Completed Claim Forms:
All claims for monetary
payment from the Class Fund shall be made in writing using the
Denny's California Class Action Claim Form attached as Exhibit F.
All Claim Forms must be signed by the claimant under penalty of
perjury. Each potential class member, including minors, must
submit his/her own Claim Form. A parent, legal guardian or next
friend may complete and sign a Claim Form on behalf of a minor.
Each class member is limited to filing and obtaining monetary
payment for only one (1) Claim. If a class member experienced
more than one discriminatory incident, all such incidents may be
detailed on one (1) Claim Form. Each valid claimant, however,
shall receive the same pro rata share of the Class Fund
regardless of the number of discriminatory incidents he/she
claims.
All Claim Forms must be mailed to the Claims Administrator and
postmarked by September 30, 1994.
- Initial Review of Claim Forms: The Claims Administrator
shall initially review all Claim Forms to determine if the form
is completely filled out and is properly signed. If the Claim
Form is incomplete or is not properly signed, the Claims
Administrator shall return the Claim Form to the claimant and the
claimant shall be given thirty (30) days from the date of mailing
within which to return to the Administrator the Claim Form
completed and/or properly signed. The failure of a claimant to
complete, sign or return their Claim Form within thirty (30) days
shall result in a denial of their claim.
- Approval of Claims The Claims Administrator also shall conduct an initial review of
all Claim Forms to determine whether they present valid claims in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Decree. All
claimants whose claims are determined to be valid by the Claims
Administrator shall be eligible for a monetary payment from the
Class Fund.
- Disputed Claims If, upon initial review of the Claim Form, the Claims Administrator is unable to determine the validity of the claim, the
Claims Administrator shall so notify the claimant in writing and
state the reasons why the information contained on the Claim Form
is insufficient to determine the validity of the claim. The
claimant shall be given thirty (30) days from the date of mailing
of the notification in which to supplement or amend the Claim
Form or provide such other information he or she wishes to assist
the Claims Administrator in determining the validity of the
claim. Upon further review of the Claim Form, including such
additional information as may be submitted by the claimant, the
Administrator shall (i) approve the claim, in which case, the
claimant is eligible for payment from the Class Fund; (ii) reject
the claim; or (iii) refer the claim as "unresolved" to Class
Counsel for resolution.
- Unresolved Claims All claims that the Claims Administrator is unable to resolve
(i.e., either approve or reject) initially or after review of
additional information submitted by the claimant, shall be
referred for resolution to Class Counsel. Claimants whose claims
are unable to be resolved by the Claims Administrator shall be so
notified in writing of the reasons, including why the information
contained on the Claim Form is insufficient to determine the
validity of the claim and shall be further advised that their
claims will be referred to Class Counsel for review and
resolution. Class Counsel shall review and determine the
validity of all claims unable to be resolved by the Claims
Administrator.
Class Counsel shall review and resolve all claims in accordance
with the class definition and claim validity provisions of this
Decree, see Sec. X.B. and X.F. Class Counsel may request
additional information from the claimant to assess the validity
of the claim. The failure of a claimant to respond to a request
for additional information from Class Counsel within thirty (30)
days shall result in the denial of the claim.
Class Counsel shall complete its review and resolution of all
claims referred within thirty (30) days of receipt of the
referral of an unresolved claim from the Administrator. Within
twenty-four hours of resolution of an unresolved claim, Class
Counsel shall cause to be issued to the Administrator by first
class mail a copy of it's resolution of the claim in the form of
a Disputed Claim Resolution Form. Within 200 days of Final
Approval, Class Counsel shall resolve all unresolved claims
referred by the Administrator. All fees and costs of Class
Counsel incurred in the review and resolution of unresolved
claims as detailed in this Consent Decree shall be paid by
Defendants on a monthly basis.
- Rejected ClaimsIf the Claims Administrator or Class Counsel reject a claim as
not meeting the terms or provisions of this Decree, the Administrator shall so notify the claimant in writing, including the
reasons for the rejection and further notify the claimant that
she or he has fourteen (14) days from the date of mailing of the
notification of rejection within which to request in writing
review by the Special Master.
- Deadline for Administrator Review of All Claims The Claims Administrator shall complete its review and issue a
determination on all Claim Forms within eight (8) months of final
approval of the Consent Decree.
- Special Master
- Selection and Appointment:Within sixty (60) days after
preliminary approval of the Consent Decree by the District Court,
Class Counsel and Denny's shall select a Special Master who shall
be responsible for review and resolution of rejected claims. The
Special Master may be an attorney with civil rights litigation
experience.
- Review of Appeals by the Special Master:The Special Master shall review and resolve all claims in accordance with the class definition and claim validity provisions
of this decree, see Sec. X.B. and X.F. The Special Master may
contact the claimant by telephone for additional information to
assess the validity of the claim.
The Special Master shall complete its review and resolution of
all claims referred within twenty (20) days of receipt of the referral of a rejected claim from the Administrator whether or not
the Special Master has received additional information.
The Special Master shall issue a written decision on all rejected claims. Copies of the decisions shall be mailed to the
claimant, Claims Administrator, and counsel for the parties. All
determinations by the Special Master are final, binding and non-
appealable.
- Payment:All fees and costs of the Special Master incurred
in carrying out the specific responsibilities detailed in this
Consent Decree shall be paid by defendants.
- Class Monetary Distribution
- Named Plaintiffs Monetary Distribution:Within ninety (90)
days of final approval of the Consent Decree, each named
plaintiff shall be paid $25,000 from the Monetary Settlement
Fund.
- Class Monetary Distribution List: Within twenty (20) days
after all claims have been resolved and no further appeals are
pending, the Claims Administrator shall submit to the parties a
final Class Monetary Distribution List. The Class Monetary Distribution List shall list the name of each qualified claimant as
determined by the Claims Administrator, Class Counsel and the
Special Master and the pro rata share amount (in dollars) for
each valid claim.
- Payment of Class Shares: Each claimant who files a valid
and timely claim shall be entitled to one (1) share of the Class
Fund regardless of the number of discriminatory incidents
claimed. Determination of the value of each class member share
shall be based upon a pro rata division of the Class Fund (less
applicable deductions for valid opt-outs, if any). The distribution formula itself shall not be subject to arbitration or
review by the Claims Administrator and is conclusively binding on
all class members.
Upon final approval of this Decree and submission of the Class
Monetary Distribution List, Denny's and Class Counsel shall relinquish control of the trustee account to the Claims Administrator who shall within twenty (20) days thereafter process and
mail via certified mail to all valid class members checks in the
amount set forth in the Class Monetary Distribution List and a
cover letter transmitting same. All checks shall be negotiable
for up to sixty (60) days from the date of mailing, and the check
and accompanying cover letter shall so indicate.
- Undeliverable Claim Checks: For each check which is
returned to the Administrator as undeliverable, the Claims Administrator shall within twenty (20) days conduct an IRSC or comparable search and remail via certified mail, return receipt
requested, a check to such additional address as may be obtained
through the tracing process. Such reissued checks shall be
negotiable for up to sixty (60) days from the date of remailing.
All returned checks to claimants for whom no additional address
is obtained through the tracing process shall be held by the
Claims Administrator for up to sixty (60) days. If no claim is
made for the checks by the claimants during this period of time,
the funds shall become part of and allocated to the "Reserve
Fund" and distributed in accordance with the provisions of this
Decree.
- Class Fund Balance
- Determination of Fund Balance: The Class Fund (less
deductions for opt outs and the reserve fund, as set forth
above) shall be distributed to eligible class members who return
valid Claim Forms.
No sooner than 120 days and no later than 180 days after
the initial mailing of checks to claimants by the Claims
Administrator, the Administrator shall determine and report to
Plaintiff Class and Defendants, the amount, if any, of any
balance (including accrued interest) remaining in the Class Fund
and/or Reserve Fund and shall distribute the remaining funds to
the United Negro College Fund designated for scholarships for
California residents.
- Attorneys' Fees and Costs
- Stage One Fees and Costs:Within ten (10) days of Final
Approval of the Consent Decree by the District Court, Defendants
shall pay to Class Counsel $6.8 million in settlement of fees and
costs for work on the liability phase of the litigation up
through Final Approval of the Consent Decree by the Court. The
amount is to be paid in full, as set forth herein, regardless of
whether any appeal or collateral attack is filed.
- Stage Two Fees and Costs: Class Counsel shall be paid their
attorneys' fees, at their current hourly rates, and costs for all
work reasonably performed on the distribution of class monetary
funds, any appeal and all work on monitoring the Injunctive
Decree subsequent to final approval of this Decree on a monthly
basis; payment shall be due within thirty (30) days from
submission to defendants.
- Costs: All costs, including without limitation costs and
fees for and incurred by the Claims Administrator and Special
Master, including but not limited to costs associated with
publication and mailing of the Notice, mailing and processing of
claims, reviews by the Claims Administrator and distribution of
monies, tracing by IRSC or other comparable service, and bank
fees, shall be paid by Defendants.
- Release Of Claims By Plaintiff Class
The negotiation and entry of this Decree have been undertaken by
the parties for the purpose of settling the claims of the Plaintiff Class. Upon entry of the Decree, the defendants, Denny's
franchisees and their respective parents, subsidiaries,
directors, officers, agents and employees shall be, and hereby
are, fully released and forever discharged from any and all
claims, demands, charges, complaints, rights and causes of action
of any kind, known or unknown, by the Plaintiff Class, and each
of its members who do not timely request exclusion from the
Class, that arise out of or are related to the incidents of discrimination alleged in the Second Amended Complaint within the
Class Period. The entry of this Decree fully settles the allegations that have been, could have been, or in the future might
be claimed or asserted against the defendants or Denny's
franchisees in this case by the Plaintiff Class and/or members of
the Plaintiff Class based on, arising out of, relating to, or in
connection with any of the allegations, facts, or circumstances
asserted in Second Amended Complaint within the Class Period.
This release shall survive the termination of the Decree.
All notices and other communications required under this Decree
shall be in writing and delivered either personally or by
depositing the same postage prepaid, in the United States mail,
addressed to the party hereto, to whom the same is directed at
the following addresses:
TO: Plaintiff United States of America
Chief, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
U.S. Department of Justice
P.O. Box 65998
Washington, D.C. 20035-5998
TO: Plaintiff Kristina Ridgeway, et al.
Mari Mayeda
Teresa Demchak
Antonio Lawson
Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein
1300 Clay Street, 11th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
With a copy to:
Patricia G. Price
Public Interest Law Firm
111 West St. John St., Suite 315
San Jose, CA 95113
TO: Flagstar Corporation and Denny's, Inc.
Robert L. Wynn III, General Counsel
Robert M. Barrett, Counsel
Flagstar Corporation
203 East Main Street
MS P-12-4
Spartanburg, S.C. 29319
With a copy to:
Thomas L. Pfister
Joseph B. Farrell
Latham & Watkins
633 West Fifth St., Suite 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90071
The parties may from time to time change their address for the
purposes of this section by providing written notice, return
receipt requested, of such change to the other parties.
- INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION
The United States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class agree that
they will not seek to hold Denny's in contempt for a single
isolated incident of discrimination by a Denny's non-supervisory
employee unless Denny's management learns of the incident and
Denny's fails to take timely remedial action acceptable to the
Monitor, the United States and counsel for the Plaintiff Class.
Nothing in this provision shall preclude the United States or
counsel for the Plaintiff Class (1) from asserting an incident of
discrimination was not isolated and/or that it reflected a
pattern or practice of discrimination in whole or in part; and/or
(2) from seeking to hold persons other than defendants in
contempt of this Decree for such an incident.
- ENTIRE AGREEMENT; MODIFICATION AND SEVERABILITY
This Decree constitutes the entire agreement among the parties
and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, among the
parties. The only obligations that shall be imposed on the
defendants pursuant to the Decree are those expressly set forth
herein and those required by Title II of the Civil Rights Act of
1964; no additional obligations are to be imposed or implied.
Each provision and term of this Decree shall be interpreted in
such manner as to be valid and enforceable. In the event any
provision or term of the Decree is determined to be or is
rendered invalid or unenforceable, all other provisions and terms
of the Decree shall remain unaffected to the extent permitted by
law. If any application of any provision or term of this Decree
to any person or circumstance is determined to be invalid or
unenforceable, the application of such provision or term to other
persons and circumstances shall remain unaffected to the extent
permitted by law.
The parties and the Monitor shall have the right to seek relevant modifications of the Decree to ensure that its purposes are
fully satisfied, provided that any request for modification has
been preceded by good faith negotiations between the parties
pursuant to the Dispute Resolution Procedure.
It is so ORDERED this ________ day of ________________, 1994.
_________________________________
United States District Judge.
The parties consent to the entry of this Decree as indicated by
the signatures of counsel below:
For Plaintiff United States:
Assistant Attorney General
Civil Rights Division
Deval L. Patrick
Paul F. Hancock
Chief, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
Brian F. Heffernan
Deputy Chief, Housing & Civil Enforcement Section
Fernando M. Olguin
Attorney
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section
Civil Rights Division
Department of Justice
P.O. Box 65998
Washington, D.C. 20035-5998
Michael J. Yamaguchi
United States Attorney
For Plaintiffs Kristina Ridgeway, et al., Individually And On
Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated:
Mari Mayeda
Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein
Teresa Demchak
Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein
Antonio Lawson
Saperstein, Mayeda & Goldstein
1300 Clay Street, 11th Fl.
Oakland, CA 94612
Patricia G. Price
Public Interest Law Firm
111 W. St. John St., Suite 315
San Jose, CA 95113
For Defendants:
Flagstar Corporation, a Delaware corporation
By: __________________________
Its:__________________________
By: __________________________
Its:__________________________
Denny's, Inc., a California corporation
By: __________________________
Its:__________________________
By: __________________________
Its:__________________________
Thomas L. Pfister
Joseph B. Farrell
Latham & Watkins
633 West Fifth St., Suite 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2007
LIST OF EXHIBITS
Exhibit A: Summary of Amended Consent Decree
Exhibit B: Notice of Non-Discrimination Policies and Procedures
exhibit C: Acknowledgement and Agreement to Abide by Amended Consent Decree and Non-Discrimination Policies
Exhibit D: Completion of Training Program
Exhibit E: Mailed Notice
Exhibit F: Claim Form and Instructions
Exhibit G: Notice of Settlement
Exhibit H: Notification Plan
Exhibit I: Notice of Settlement and Claims Process
EXHIBIT A
United States v. Denny's, Inc. and Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20208-JW
Kristina Ridgeway, Individually And On Behalf Of All Persons
Similarly Situated v. Denny's, Inc. And Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20202-JW
SUMMARY OF AMENDED CONSENT DECREE
On March 24 and March 26, 1993, respectively, the United States
and a class of plaintiffs comprised of African-Americans
("Plaintiff Class") filed separate lawsuits in Federal Court in
California, alleging that Denny's has engaged in a pattern or
practice of discrimination on the basis of race or color in the
treatment and/or service of customers in Denny's franchised and
company-owned restaurants, in violation of state and federal
civil rights laws. Specifically, the complaints of the United
States and the Plaintiff Class contend that Denny's treats
African-American customers less favorably than white customers.
Denny's denies the allegations but, in the interest of resolving
this matter without the necessity of expensive and prolonged
litigation, has elected to enter into a settlement, which
included the filing of an Amended Consent Decree ("Decree").
This document is intended to be a summary of that Decree. If you
desire to have a complete copy of the Decree, you may secure one
by writing to: Denny's Human Resources Department, 203 East Main
Street, P-5-4 Spartanburg, S.C. 29319.
The Decree, which has been signed by a Federal Judge, requires
Denny's to advise you and our customers that Denny's does not
discriminate on the basis of race or color. The Decree provides
that officers, employee and agents of Denny's, and franchisees of
Denny's who receive notice of the Decree must not: (1) deny to
any person, based on their race or color, the full and equal
enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, privileges,
advantages, and accommodations of our restaurants; (2) deny
service or offer less favorable terms and conditions of service
to any person based on their race or color; (3) require pre-
payment, a cover charge or presentment of identification as a
condition of service, based on race or color; (4) implement
different terms and conditions, on the basis of race or color,
concerning Denny's promotional offers; (5) make statements, on
the basis of race or color, that would discourage anyone from
visiting Denny's Restaurants; (6) instruct or encourage employees
or staff members to discourage any person, based on their race or
color, from visiting a Denny's Restaurant or from enjoying the
full benefits of Denny's Restaurants; and (7) retaliate against
any officer, employee or agent for opposing or reporting alleged
discrimination in the service and/or treatment of customers, in
violation of applicable law and/or this Decree.
In order to meet our obligations under the law and to ensure
that our diverse customer base is being treated appropriately and
fairly, we will be: (1) retaining a Civil Rights Monitor who will
be responsible for monitoring Denny's compliance with the Decree;
(2) advising all officers, employees, agents and franchisees of
the contents of the Decree and the fact that Denny's cannot and
will not retaliate against any officer, employee or agent for
opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in the service
and/or treatment of customers, in violation of applicable law
and/or this Decree; (3) training all officers, employees, agents
and franchisees of their duties and obligations under federal and
state law and the Decree; (4) notifying our customers through
appropriate advertisements of Denny's non-discrimination policy;
and (5) implementing a testing program to monitor service
provided to customers in our restaurants.
EXHIBIT B
United States v. Denny's, Inc. and Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20208-JW
Kristina Ridgeway, Individually And On Behalf Of All Persons
Similarly Situated v. Denny's, Inc. And Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20202-JW
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
As part of our effort to ensure compliance with state and
federal anti-discrimination laws, particularly public accommodations laws, I take this opportunity to remind all of our officers, employees, agents and everyone associated with Denny's,
Inc. of our policies concerning non-discrimination. It is
important for each officer, employee, and agent to review his or
her actions in light of these requirements and for everyone to
keep in mind the importance of treating all persons equally. If
we intend to be the best food service company in the world by the
year 2000, we have to treat our customers and each other with
dignity and respect.
We have always had a policy of not engaging in any type of discrimination against customers. In reaffirming that policy, I
want to remind you that under the applicable state and federal
public accommodations laws, you must at all times and in every
part of your work NEVER:
- Deny to any person, on the basis of race or color, the
full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities,
privileges, advantages, and accommodations of Denny's
Restaurants;
- Deny service, or offer less favorable terms and conditions of service, to any customer on the basis of race or
color;
- Require prepayment, a cover charge or presentment of
identification as a condition of service, on the basis of race
or color;
- Implement different terms and conditions, on the basis
of race or color, concerning Denny's promotional offers;
- Make statements, on the basis of race or color,
that would discourage customers from visiting Denny's
Restaurants;
- Instruct or encourage employees or staff members to discourage any person, on the basis of race or color, from visiting
Denny's Restaurants or from enjoying the full benefits of our
restaurants;
- Make, print, or publish, or cause to be made, printed,
or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with
respect to the service or equal enjoyment of our restaurants
that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination
based on race or color, or an intention to make any such
limitation or discrimination; and
- Represent to any person, because of race or color, that
service or enjoyment of our facilities is not available, when
such is in fact so available.
Failure to comply with non-discrimination policies will result
in appropriate disciplinary action which may include termination.
It is important to understand that any action taken by you that
results in the denial of service or unequal treatment of customers may constitute a violation of state and federal public
accommodations laws. We are firmly committed to fair and equal
treatment and service to all the customers that we serve. You
are expected to join in that effort and, as such, you are
required to report to your supervisor and/or the appropriate law
enforcement agency or official any instances that you have
witnessed that may constitute discrimination by other Denny's
personnel or any attempts by other personnel to encourage or
coerce you to discriminate against customers. Our company cannot
and will not retaliate against any officer, employee or agent for
opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in the service
and/or treatment of customers, in violation of applicable law
and/or this Decree.
Together we will succeed in being the best food service company
in the world by the year 2000.
Sincerely,
C. Ronald Petty
Senior Vice-President
Chief Operating Officer
Denny's, Inc.
EXHIBIT C
United States v. Denny's, Inc. and Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20208-JW
Kristina Ridgeway, Individually And On Behalf Of All Persons
Similarly Situated v. Denny's, Inc. And Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20202-JW
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND AGREEMENT TO ABIDE BY AMENDED CONSENT DECREE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICIES
I have read the "Summary of Amended Consent Decree" and the
"Notice of Non-Discrimination Policies and Procedures" provided
to me on ______________. I understand the requirements of the
Amended Decree and the non-discrimination policies and
procedures, and recognize that my failure or refusal to adhere to
them could result in possible sanctions against me by a court as
well as disciplinary action, including termination of employment,
by my employer. Additionally, I understand that I will not be
reprimanded, penalized, or otherwise retaliated against in any
way for opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in the
service and/or treatment of customers, in violation of applicable
law and/or the amended Decree.
Dated this ____ day of _____________, 199__.
________________________________
Employee or Agent Signature
________________________________
Employee or Agent-Printed Name
________________________________
Street Address
________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
Dated this ____ day of ______________, 199__.
________________________________
Company Representative.
EXHIBIT D
United States v. Denny's, Inc. and Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20208-JW
Kristina Ridgeway, Individually And On Behalf Of All Persons
Similarly Situated v. Denny's, Inc. And Flagstar Corporation
Civil No. 93-20202-JW
COMPLETION OF TRAINING PROGRAM
On ____________________, 199_, I participated in and completed
the diversity/sensitivity training program. I have been
instructed about my duties and obligations as an employee or
agent of Denny's under state and federal public accommodations
laws and the Amended Consent Decree entered into by Denny's. I
understand my duties and obligations and am aware that my failure
or refusal to adhere to them could result in possible sanctions
against me by a court as well as disciplinary action, including
termination of employment, by my employer. Additionally, I understand that I will not be retaliated against in any way for opposing or reporting alleged discrimination in the service and/or
treatment of customers, in violation of applicable law and/or
this amended Decree.
Dated this ____ day of ______________, 199__.
________________________________
Employee or Agent Signature
________________________________
Employee or Agent-Printed Name
________________________________
Street Address
________________________________
City, State, Zip Code
Dated this ____ day of ______________, 199__.
________________________________
Company Representative.