A New York resident has taken legal action against a popular tea company, accusing it of failing to provide adequate access for individuals with disabilities. Ashley Francis filed a complaint on February 17, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against Tzu Tai Tsao Corp. and Heytea USA(NY) LLC. The lawsuit alleges that these defendants have violated multiple disability rights laws by not ensuring their premises are accessible to wheelchair users.
The heart of the case revolves around alleged violations of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as several New York State and City laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination. According to the complaint, Francis, who uses a wheelchair due to medical conditions affecting her mobility, experienced significant barriers when attempting to visit the HeyTea location at 240 Grand Street in New York City. The complaint details how steep entranceways and lack of accessible seating deterred her from enjoying the establishment’s offerings. “Defendants made a financial decision to ignore explicit legal requirements,” the complaint states, accusing them of considering customers with disabilities as unworthy.
Francis claims that despite renovations costing over $100,000 at the HeyTea premises in 2024, no efforts were made to ensure accessibility compliance. She argues that numerous architectural barriers exist within the establishment that prevent or restrict access for individuals like herself. These include non-compliant ramps and doorways requiring excessive force to open, among other issues outlined in both federal and local accessibility standards.
The plaintiff is seeking various forms of relief from the court. These include declaratory judgments recognizing the defendants’ violations, injunctive relief mandating modifications for compliance with ADA standards, compensatory damages for emotional distress caused by this discrimination, and punitive damages aimed at deterring future misconduct by these companies. Additionally, Francis requests monetary penalties under New York State Civil Rights Law and coverage for attorney’s fees incurred during this litigation process.
Representing Ashley Francis is Glen H. Parker from The Parker Law Group P.C., while details about defense attorneys remain undisclosed in this document. The case has been assigned Case ID 1:26-cv-01306 but does not specify which judge will preside over it.
Source: 126cv01306_Ashley_Francis_v_TZU_TAI_Complaint_Southern_District_of_New_York.pdf
