Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of “South Park,” have spent 26 seasons not just using their irreverent show to skewer sacred cows, but also to carve them up and toss them on the grill for good measure. An issue with performers at Casa Bonita, a restaurant they bought and restored in Denver, Colorado (for a lot of money), has them on the horns of a different kind of dilemma.
Represented by the Actors’ Equity Association, Casa Bonita performers and entertainers began a strike at the unusual restaurant on October 30, 2025. Due to failure to reach an accord in labor negotiations with Casa Bonita management over hours lost due to a promotion at the so-called “Pink Palace” called “Casa BOOnita” in October, the cast of the unique eatery prowled a picket line instead of Black Bart’s Caves.
Buying the Disneyland version of a Mexican restaurant may have been a dream for Parker and Stone, but their four years as the Casa Bonita owners may qualify as more of a nightmare. In addition to staggering costs, Casa Bonita faced claims of unfair labor practices after banning tipping in the restaurant. With a work staff that continues to unionize and some poor reviews on social media, Parker and Stone may have to send in Cartman and Butters to try to make peace.
What Mexican Restaurant Doesn’t Need a ManBearPig?
Founded in 1973, the bright pink Casa Bonita became a beloved staple of Denver diners. Clocking in at a staggering 52,000 square feet, the restaurant offered an experience that was far more than just the food. Featuring cliff divers, magicians, puppeteers, an explorable cave system, and much more, it was a favorite place for the young Stone and Parker. It shut down during the pandemic, with the owner filing for bankruptcy in 2021.
Sensing an opportunity to realize a childhood dream, Parker and Stone negotiated a deal to become the Casa Bonita owners. As shown in last year’s documentary “¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!”, the renovation costs unexpectedly skyrocketed as problem after problem was discovered. It’s estimated that the pair invested $40 million in preparing the Casa Bonita restaurant, which was featured several times on “South Park,” for its 2023 opening date.
While the wait to make a reservation was over a year at times, it wasn’t all sol y rosas for the owners. Following a soft opening in May 2023, Casa Bonita management reported that the pre-payment system was negatively impacting tipping. To compensate, they banned tipping and bumped the hourly wage from the state’s then-minimum wage of $14.27 per hour to $30 per hour for bartenders. Wait staff and other workers were paid below that rate, which was not well-received. It wouldn’t take long for another labor issue to pop up.
All the World’s a Stage (or a Diving Platform)
From Black Bart to Captain Isabella to the person in a gorilla suit, Casa Bonita employs a staff of actors and entertainers to bring their characters to life and further enhance the patrons' experience. In a unanimous vote, the performers unionized as Casa Bonita United under the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) in 2024.
The newest labor impasse came during contract negotiations. Casa Bonita announced a “Casa BOOnita” promotion, which would allow guests to dress up as characters found in the restaurant. The actors who currently play those roles were instructed not to come in, which led to considerable angst and confusion. Some thought they were being permanently dismissed, while others bemoaned being blocked from earning a living wage for a month. Even though Parker insisted it was just for October, the dissatisfaction remained.
With AEA lead negotiator Andrea Hoeschen declaring the talks at an impasse, the actors filed an Unfair Labor Practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Ultimately, the employees agreed to drop their strike after agreeing to mediation with the owners. As yet, no resolution has been reached, but talks are ongoing.
Related Resources
- The Collective Bargaining Process (FindLaw’s Employment Law)
- Union Members’ Rights (FindLaw’s Wages and Benefits Law)
- Contract Negotiation and Writing Tips (FindLaw’s Small Business Law)
