This weekend, a storm brewed on social media as former employees of Luisito Comunica’s Asian restaurant chain, Deigo Ramen and Deigo Sushi, accused the business of withholding profit sharing for the 2025 fiscal year. The company reportedly informed staff that no profits were generated to distribute, sparking outrage given the ongoing expansion of new branches and partnerships.

The controversy centers not only on Luisito Comunica but also on his partners: Yoshitake Yanagi Casillas, Oscar Meza, Lalo Villar, Ari Tenorio, and newcomer Lily Chenlu. A leaked testimony from a former employee detailed several troubling practices:

– A “silence bonus” of just 2,000 pesos was given to employees to pacify complaints about the lack of profit sharing.
– Allegations of changing the company’s legal name annually without notifying workers, possibly to evade tax authorities (SAT).
– Kitchen managers reportedly receive partial salaries off the books, with official paychecks underreported and the rest paid in cash or transfers labeled as “payroll supplements.”
– Strict penalties on tips: workers lose an entire day’s tips if they are late or absent, justified by the restaurant’s needs.
– Claims that some locations are in poor condition, prompting calls for inspections by Cofepris, the health regulatory agency.

While profit sharing (PTU) is a constitutional right in Mexico, companies can legally avoid payment if they prove no profits were made. So far, these remain allegations circulating online, with no official labor authority confirmation or rulings.

This episode highlights ongoing tensions in Mexico’s hospitality sector, where rapid business growth sometimes clashes with workers’ rights. As Luisito Comunica’s brand continues to expand, the outcome of these claims will be closely watched by employees and consumers alike.