If you worked at Studio One Theaters in Oregon and shared in a tip pool that included managers, you may receive an automatic check with nothing to file.
What Is This Settlement About?
A former employee filed a class action lawsuit, Atkins v. VCE Theaters, LLC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The named plaintiff alleges that VCE Theaters, LLC, doing business as Studio One Theaters, operated a tip pool that improperly included managers, supervisors, or other statutory employers, in violation of wage-and-hour law.VCE Theaters denies the allegations, and the Court has not ruled on the merits of the claims. To avoid the burden, expense, and risk of continued litigation, the parties agreed to a settlement, subject to Court approval. VCE Theaters has agreed to a total settlement fund of $280,000 to resolve the claims.
Who Qualifies?
You are a class member if records show you worked for VCE Theaters, LLC, doing business as Studio One Theaters, at any time from the theater's opening in late 2018 through April 9, 2026, and you received a paycheck for a pay period in which you participated in a tip pool that included managers, supervisors, or other statutory employers.The class excludes employees who, according to Studio One's Ready Theater Systems records, worked exclusively in the positions identified as "hourly manager" or "lead." Class members were sent a notice because the company's records indicate they were employed in a covered position during that period.
How Much Can You Get?
Studio One has agreed to a Gross Settlement Fund of $280,000. After Court-approved attorneys' fees and costs and service payments to the class representatives are deducted, the remaining Net Settlement Fund is divided among class members on an equal-shares basis. Settlement administration costs are paid separately by the defendants, not out of the fund.Each class member is allocated one share. Class members who timely opted in to the FLSA collective receive one additional share — two shares in total. Based on the current estimate of about $138.00 per share, class members who opted in will receive $276.01 each, and all other class members will receive $138.00 each. Your individual estimated amount is stated in the notice mailed to you. Because the payment is calculated from the company's own payroll and timekeeping records, there is nothing you need to submit to receive your share.
Do You Need to File a Claim?
No. This is an automatic-payment settlement — there is no claim form. If the Court approves the settlement, the administrator will mail a check to the address on file for each eligible class member. You do not need receipts, pay stubs, or any administrator-issued ID, and there is no online portal to complete.The most important step you can take is to make sure the settlement administrator has your current mailing address. If you have moved since you worked at Studio One Theaters, update your address through the official settlement website so your check reaches you.
Deadlines and Your Options
Because payments are automatic, eligible class members who do nothing will still receive a check and will remain bound by the settlement's release of claims. If you would rather keep your right to sue Studio One separately over these wage claims, you can exclude yourself (opt out). If you want to stay in the class but tell the Court you disagree with the terms, you can object. Either request must be submitted by July 21, 2026.The Court will hold a fairness hearing on August 26, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland, Oregon, to decide whether to approve the settlement. You do not have to attend. If the settlement is approved, the administrator will mail settlement checks to class members at the address on file — so keep your mailing address current through the official settlement website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Studio One Theaters settlement?
People who worked for VCE Theaters, LLC, doing business as Studio One Theaters, at any time from the theater's opening in late 2018 through April 9, 2026, who received a paycheck for a pay period in which they participated in a tip pool that included managers, supervisors, or other statutory employers, and who did not work exclusively in the positions Studio One records as "hourly manager" or "lead."
Do I need to file a claim for the Studio One Theaters settlement?
No. Class members do not need to submit a claim form. The settlement administrator will automatically mail a check to the address on file for each eligible class member after the Court grants final approval.
How much money can I get from the Studio One Theaters settlement?
Payments come from a $280,000 settlement fund and are estimated at about $138 or $276.01 per class member, depending on the records used to calculate each share. Exact amounts may vary after Court-approved fees, costs, and administration are deducted.
What is the deadline for the Studio One Theaters settlement?
Because payments are automatic, there is no claim form to file. If you want to exclude yourself (opt out) or object to the settlement, your request must be submitted by July 21, 2026. The Court's fairness hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2026.
When will Studio One Theaters settlement checks be mailed?
Checks are mailed only after the Court grants final approval at the August 26, 2026 fairness hearing and that approval becomes final. The administrator will mail your check to the address on file, so make sure your current mailing address is updated through the official settlement website.
Sources
- Official Settlement Website — Studio One Settlement
- Court-Authorized Notice of Class Action Settlement, Atkins v. VCE Theaters, LLC, No. 3:23-cv-01332-SB, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
