Kamloops Denny’s sues over $500,000 in stolen tips

A Kamloops Denny’s implicated three of its former employees in a tip embezzlement scheme, taking them to civil court for over roughly $500,000.

The three men worked at the Tranquille Road location, but the restaurant wasn’t aware of the alleged scheme until it had gone on for two years, according to a notice of civil claim.

Earlier this month, the restaurant discovered unauthorized payments from its digital tip system to employee Dhruv Rana, totalling just over $11,000. An internal audit found multiple transfers between Nov. 10 and Dec. 1, according to notice of claim.

The lawsuit was filed by Northland Properties Corporation, which operates two Kamloops Denny’s locations, on Dec. 16. A related police investigation appears to be ongoing with no charges yet laid.

Northland claims Rana was interviewed in a human resources investigation on Dec. 5. Although he initially denied the involvement, he later “admitted he participated in a scheme,” colluding with former restaurant supervisor Brandon Billy.

According to the claim, Billy sent Rana a text message on Nov. 6, instructing him to share half the money via e-transfer. Denny’s said Rana claimed to have only kept between $1,000 and $3,000, but its internal audit could only verify the $11,018 that was transferred from the tipping system.

Northland said it later learned tip theft had continued for much longer than just November.

Rana told the human resources investigator he was “encouraged” to steal the money by Billy, who showed him a former manager’s scheme.

The former manager, Rob Wiehe, resigned in Nov. 3, according to the claim. He is accused of stealing tips from 2023 to 2025, and Northland estimates the total may be as high as $494,533. The company did not say how that amount might have gone unnoticed.

That figure was updated on Dec. 17 after the company initially claimed he took an estimated $215,000.

Northland is seeking damages for theft, fraud and breach of contract, in addition to repayment of the money it claims was misappropriated by the three former employees.

The three defendants have not responded in court and did not respond to a request for comment from iNFOnews.ca. Northland’s claims have not been proven in court.

Kamloops RCMP did not respond to a request for comment about its investigation.