Things are not all sweet for The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers at Disney World, according to former employees.
The restaurant, which got its start in the Indianapolis area, has been hit with a slew of lawsuits from workers there.
At least 11 former employees have filed complaints against the shop over wage issues, including paying under minimum wage and charging employees for uniform cleaning, reported by the WDW News Today website, which follows Disney parks.
Known for its macarons, handmade cakes, cookies, dessert bars and Swarovski chandelier displays, The Cake Bake Shop brand began in Indianapolis.
A former server at the Disney World location, Alexandria Pope, filed a complaint on April 30 seeking about $4,804 plus interest and attorney’s fee to cover $2,402 in unpaid wages and another $2,402 in damages.
The restaurant did not pay Pope, who worked there from July 2024 to January 2025, the state minimum wage, according to the small claims complaint filed in Orange County, Florida. The minimum wage for tipped employees in Florida is $10.98 per hour, and $14 for other employees.
Pope, an hourly employee, relied on tips but she did “excessive amounts of … side work every shift, often for hours at a time” where she wasn’t being paid any tips, the report said.
Pope said that side work consisted of chores normally done by a janitor or the kitchen staff at a restaurant, including stocking drinks, washing and putting away dishes, wiping menus, putting up chairs, mopping, sweeping, taking down and charging LED table lamps, polishing silverware and changing tablecloths.
“Plaintiff was required to work for substantial periods of time before Plaintiff’s tip-producing shift began. Plaintiff was additionally required to work for substantial periods of time after Plaintiff’s shift concluded. Plaintiff had sustained periods of time during shifts where only side work tasks were being performed.”
Pope also said the restaurant took money out of her check for “uniform cleaning” and “required footwear,” the complaint said.
WDWNT previously reported that 10 other former employees filed complaints in either small claims, Orange County Civil or federal court in 2025 and 2026 with similar claims about not being paid for doing menial tasks.
Owner Gwendolyn Rogers said the employees were treated fairly.
“As the founder and president of a woman-owned small business, I have poured my heart and soul into making The Cake Bake Shop a business where team members are respected, treated fairly, and given the opportunity to succeed,“ she said in a statement to the IndyStar.
“I firmly reject the false allegations being made regarding our Orlando location, which are both inaccurate and unfair. They do not reflect the culture we have worked diligently to foster over the years. I am extremely proud of maintaining a quality workplace for our valued employees since we opened our doors for business twelve years ago.”
Rogers founded the French-inspired restaurant brand in the Broad Ripple neighborhood in 2014. It made countless “best of” lists before she opened her third location, the lavish shop at Walt Disney World Resort in 2024.
The table-service restaurant at Walt Disney World opened alongside The Cake Bake Shop Bakery at Disney’s BoardWalk in the Lake Buena Vista, Florida, complex.
What’s on the menu at The Cake Bake Shop at Disney World?
The 252-seat restaurant serves massive slices of cake, as well as sandwiches, soups, salads, pastas, roasted salmon, steak and a full breakfast offering.
The Cake Bake Shop at Walt Disney World prices
The Disney location generated a lot of buzz amid test meal service in the fall of 2024 when the menu hit social media. Many deemed the prices, including cake slices for $26 each and burger and fries for $32 per order, too high, particularly when compared to the same items at the Indiana locations.
Upon opening, though, menu prices at the Disney location were adjusted.
Some were reduced. For example, the Pesto Burrata – which cost $28 in Indiana and was $34 at the Disney site during the testing period, saw its price lowered to $28.99 when the restaurant opened. Meanwhile, the Pixie Fetti Birthday Cake increased from $22 to $22.99 when the restaurant opened to the public.
Where is The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers at Walt Disney World?
The restaurant is next to a lake at Disney’s BoardWalk, an entertainment area with other eateries, bars, a dance hall and other activities.
It’s near Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, the BoardWalk Inn, Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel and the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel and within walking distance to the Epcot and Hollywood Studios theme parks.
Disney’s BoardWalk does not require a ticket
Walt Disney World Resort has six theme and water parks, hotels and a golf course.
Disney’s BoardWalk does not require a ticket.
Guests can access the BoardWalk via:
Parking is free.
Contact reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cjackson@usatodayco.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com:@cherylvjackson or Bluesky:@cherylvjackson.bsky.social.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Workers sue The Cake Bake Shop at Disney World over wage claims
Reporting by Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
