Steakhouse owner allegedly told his biracial manager she was too ‘black’ to be still on the payroll. So she sues him hard

After 40 years at the same company, showing up for work should feel routine. However, one longtime Tennessee restaurant manager claims a normal shift ended with the owner questioning why she was even there.

Tammy Dawn Waller had spent most of her working life with Copper Cellar Corporation and worked her way into management. Yet she alleges owner Mike Chase confronted her at a restaurant, brought up her race, and said he wanted her off the payroll.

According to Atlanta Black Star, the 63-year-old biracial woman filed a federal civil rights complaint against Chase and Copper Cellar Corporation on September 15. She alleges racial discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.

The shift was about to get much more personal

Waller had worked for Copper Cellar Corporation for 40 years, serving as both a general manager and assistant general manager. On September 22, 2025, she reportedly arrived for a shift at a Copper Cellar steakhouse in Knox County at around 2 p.m.

She was helping a coworker resolve a customer’s bill when she noticed Chase sitting at the bar. Once Waller finished, the lawsuit alleges that Chase stood in a doorway, stared at her, and demanded to know what she was doing there.

Waller told him she was working. “They don’t like you here, you’re Black!” Chase allegedly responded.

Waller replied that she was biracial and had been asked to work at that location. Chase allegedly told her, “Well, I need you off my payroll.”

Race wasn’t the only personal subject he allegedly brought up. Waller claims Chase called her “fat” and told her to lose weight. When she responded that her husband liked her the way she was, Chase allegedly suggested that her husband could lose “25, 50, 100 pounds.”

Several employees reportedly witnessed the exchange, including workers Waller supervised. Some approached her afterward and told her she should not have to tolerate the treatment. Waller tried to brush it off as “okay,” despite allegedly being visibly upset and humiliated.

Chase later asked how long she had worked for him. After Waller answered 40 years, he reportedly said he was about to meet with an attorney and might have that attorney speak with her. Waller interpreted the remark as a veiled threat concerning her employment. She eventually went to her car and contacted company managers to report the encounter, telling them she could not continue working that shift.

The complaint argues that the incident was not an isolated conflict. Waller alleges Chase had a history of verbally harassing employees and making unwelcome comments about women’s appearances. Her claims also reflect broader concerns about racism in restaurant workplaces, from racial slurs to managers allegedly invoking slavery while speaking to Black employees.

Waller claims she had contacted the company’s human resources director even before her own encounter. She reportedly complained after a white female employee allegedly overheard Chase using the N-word while discussing Black people with a white guest. The lawsuit alleges Chase also told that employee to lose weight and offered to pay for weight-loss treatment.

Other women have previously taken legal action against Chase and Copper Cellar Corporation. Jessica Henry accused him of sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, and bullying. Former server and bartender Harley Denning also sued over alleged sexual harassment, with her case settling for an undisclosed amount in April 2026.

During Denning’s case, an area director reportedly testified that he knew Chase had used a racial slur at work. Waller’s complaint alleges upper-level management knew about Chase’s conduct but failed to effectively enforce company policies against him because he owned the business.

Waller’s complaint adds to the legal trouble surrounding Chase, with his alleged conduct as a restaurant owner now facing further scrutiny in federal court. She is seeking back pay, front pay, lost benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and a jury trial. Waller also wants Copper Cellar ordered to enforce anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and is seeking a protective order requiring Chase to remain at least 1,000 feet away from her.

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