Cowbell restaurant owners violate labor laws

The owners of Cowbell restaurant have been ordered by a federal judge to pay about $83,000 in back wages and fines.

James Albert and Anthony Markakis own Cowbell restaurants in Biddeford, Scarborough , and Westbrook, as well as The Martini Bar and Five Dollar Finns in Biddeford.

According to court records, from January 2023 to September 2025 the owners failed to pay certain employees minimum wage, and failed to properly compensate employees for overtime hours. Some employees in Biddeford were paid for overtime hours in cash without the overtime shift differential. Two nonexempt employees in the Biddeford and Scarborough establishments were paid on a salary basis and were not paid the required overtime wages for the hours worked in addition to a 40-hour work week.

Minor employees at the Westbrook location worked more hours than is allowed under federal labor laws and also worked later than is allowed during the school year, according to court records.

According to court documents, hours were removed from employee time records, and accurate records of employee work hours were not kept.

Albert and Markakis admitted to the violations, according to an agreement finalized on June 4 by U.S. District Judge Stacey Neuman. The two restaurant owners have been ordered to pay $51,774.93 in back wages and $31,435.84 in fines for violating child labor laws and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.