Photo collaboration via Cecilia Lopez

Between dealing with supplier issues, busy dining rooms and a stream of online orders, payroll issues can often be at the back of the mind of many restaurant owners. But a slip in payroll compliance can lead to months-long legal headaches that many restaurant owners would trade in for a late night in the kitchen in a heartbeat.

That’s where local restaurateur and business owner Falina Marihart hopes to step in and make a difference with her newest venture — one that takes years of knowledge operating her restaurants and shares it with restaurant owners throughout California.

Founded in July, MP Consultants aims to provide guidance in an area that has left many operators exposed, she said.

She is an owner of 13 Prime Steak in Clovis, and in 2024 opened Yolked Kitchen nearby in the Parkway Trails Shopping Center at the corner of Nees and Willow avenues.

“I’ve taken our experience in the industry — and my experience on the board of the CRA (California Restaurant Association) — to help our restaurant owners understand what payroll compliance is so they can avoid being caught in lawsuits,” Marihart said.

The business was inspired by an increase in lawsuits filed under the state’s Private Attorney General Act. Also known as PAGA, the act allows employees to pursue wage-related claims against employers on behalf of the state.

“From personal experience, we discovered that a lot of restaurant owners are very vulnerable,” she said. “There are a lot of laws when it comes to how to pay employees and overtime wages, split-shifts — everything that you can think of that’s related to how to pay an employee.”

Marihart said that her team has researched and worked through the wide range of payroll requirements for everything from quick-service restaurants to coffee shops and full-service, sit-down eateries.

Marihart compared some of the lawsuits filed against restaurant owners to accident attorneys targeting drivers after car crashes.

“It’s pretty sad because they’re just trying to stay in business,” she said. “It’s just another thing that we have to deal with in California.”

Payroll and wage rules can often vary not only from state to state, but from city to city; Marihart said that leaves restaurant owners responsible for keeping up with ever-changing requirements that can directly affect the success of their business.

She added that new and experienced owners can both run into financial risks if they are not up to date on the latest labor regulations.

Marihart said that, despite having only been operating since July, the business has already received strong feedback; they recently attended the California Restaurant Show in Anaheim, networking with restaurant and franchise owners from around the state.

“They were saying this is such a need for the restaurant owners,” she said. “The best part is it’s all private — it’s not like we’re a regulatory industry; we’re basically just saying, ‘Hey. Here’s how you can lessen your liability if something comes your way with any type of suit or anything legal.’”

Marihart added that payroll companies often process paychecks without knowing the details of which employees should receive specific wages for the hours worked; despite that not falling under the responsibility of the payroll companies, many restaurant owners incorrectly assume that it does, leading to elevated risk of compliance issues escalating into lawsuits.

“This is really new, and the industry needs some time to get familiar with it,” she said. “From the feedback that we’ve got so far it’s been great, because at every level, everybody’s saying that this needs to be done for restaurant owners.”

MP Consultants has partnered with the CRA to help broaden its reach. Marihart, who has served on the CRA board, has also partnered with Payroll Expert Kimberly Smith, PHRca (Professional in Human Resources – California), to conduct the firm’s audits.

Restaurants throughout the state can seek services by visiting mypayrollaudit.com or by calling (559) 825-8200.