According to Yle, the owners of a popular ethnic restaurant chain are under police investigation for allegedly committing serious exploitation offenses against their foreign employees. The owners, a couple who run restaurants offering Caucasian cuisine, are facing allegations regarding the treatment and oversight of employees through surveillance cameras. The female owner is Finnish, while her husband, originally from abroad, has acquired Finnish citizenship.

The restaurant chain operates locations in Turku, Espoo, Helsinki, and Tampere, and the owners are also involved in several other similar cultural restaurants across Finland. Regulatory oversight by the Regional State Administrative Agency (avi) has revealed numerous deficiencies during inspections conducted from 2019 to 2025 in various establishments owned or operated by the couple. However, the police investigation currently focuses only on activities at the Turku restaurant between 2019 and 2022, with the investigation now completed and awaiting prosecution consideration.

The couple has denied all allegations regarding criminal activity and unacceptable working conditions. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding labor practices in the hospitality sector in Finland, particularly with respect to the treatment of immigrant workers, and raises important questions about oversight and regulatory compliance within the restaurant industry.