Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
Denny's franchisee sues employees over alleged tip embezzlement
Lawsuit filed
Northland Properties Corp., which operates a Denny's restaurant in Kamloops, B.C., filed a civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court on December 17, 2025, against employees Brandon Billy, Dhruv Rana and Rob Wiehe over an alleged tip embezzlement scheme. The claim alleges that more than $500,000 in tips was misappropriated, including more than $494,000 attributed to former manager Wiehe between 2023 and 2025. The restaurant reported the theft to Kamloops RCMP. None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Source excerpt
A Kamloops Denny’s is taking three of its employees to court over an alleged tip embezzlement scheme that bilked the restaurant for more than half a million dollars.
Northland Properties Corp., which operates the Tranquille Road restaurant, is suing employees Brandon Billy, Dhruv Rana and Rob Wiehe over the misappropriated funds.
The restaurant claims their review of records shows that between 2023 and 2025 Wiehe may have stolen more than $494,000 in tips.
2023
Animal-welfare criticism over gestation crates
Animal-rights organizations criticized Denny's for withdrawing or failing to maintain a deadline for eliminating gestation crates from its pork supply chain. A related shareholder proposal was rejected in 2024.
2020
Dencan Restaurants fined over Calgary Denny's fire-code infraction
Fine or penalty
Dencan Restaurants Inc., the corporate owner of a Calgary Denny's restaurant, pleaded guilty after unqualified and uncertified Premium Fire Protection technicians performed testing and maintenance on the restaurant's special fire suppression systems. The systems were consequently not tested and maintained as required by the Alberta Fire Code, and the court accepted a fine and surcharge totaling $4,600.
Source excerpt
As a result, the special fire suppression systems were not tested and maintained as required by the Alberta Fire Code.
The corporate owner of a Calgary Denny’s restaurant was fined Wednesday for not ensuring its fire protection equipment was properly maintained.
Mason accepted a joint submission from Frank and Dencan in-house counsel Joanne Dickinson for a fine and surcharge adding up to $4,600.
2020
Man files hepatitis A lawsuit against Denny’s
Lawsuit filed
William Reyes filed a lawsuit against Denny’s and EYM Realty of Florida, alleging that he contracted hepatitis A after eating food contaminated by infected employees at the restaurant. The allegations have not been established as findings in the supplied report.
Source excerpt
An Osceola County man is suing Denny’s restaurant, alleging that he was infected with hepatitis A last year after eating food that was contaminated by employees who had the virus.
William Reyes filed the lawsuit against Denny’s and EYM Realty of Florida, which operates the restaurant, on Thursday in Osceola County Circuit Court for damages that exceed $30,000.
The lawsuit --- filed Thursday in the 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes Orange and Osceola counties --- seeks at least $30,000 in damages and contends that both Denny’s and EYM were negligent and liable for what happened.
2017
Indigenous customer treatment allegation in Vancouver
Staff at a Vancouver restaurant were accused of requiring an Indigenous woman to pay before receiving her meal. The incident led to allegations of discriminatory treatment and a police call after she left.
2014
LGBT discrimination claim in New Mexico
A Deming, New Mexico, restaurant was accused of using homophobic language and refusing service to LGBT customers. Denny's later agreed to make payments, donate to Deming Pride, and retrain staff.
1997
Alleged mistreatment and assault involving Asian-American customers
Six Asian-American students reported delayed service, being removed from a restaurant, and a subsequent confrontation involving alleged racial abuse and physical attacks outside the location.
1994
Racial discrimination litigation
Black customers alleged that Denny's restaurants refused service, imposed longer waits, or required advance payment compared with white customers. The company settled a class action for $54.4 million and introduced employee training and other corrective measures.