Tom and Jerry's Hires Beef-a-Roo Staff at 4 Sites, Honors Coupons After Closures

Q: Will the new Texas-based owners pay Beef-a-Roo employees their missing wages from last month?

It is unclear, and there is no public indication yet that the new Texas-based buyer will pay the missing wages. The reporting shows Beef-a-Roo’s sale to Texas-based Hungry Investments Inc. has been described inconsistently: it was announced as effective June 26, but a company executive later said the deal was still pending. That matters because there is no confirmed public statement from Hungry Investments taking responsibility for unpaid June wages. What employees do have are promises from Beef-a-Roo’s existing leadership, not proof of payment. Vice President Jeremy Wise had said the payroll problem was temporary and that workers would be paid “every dollar they have earned.” But employees in several states reported they had not been paid since June 15, and the company then moved into layoffs and widespread closures. The strongest evidence of uncertainty comes from Elysian Capital’s own communications. In layoff notices, the company said final paychecks and any wages owed would be issued “as quickly as possible once funding becomes available,” while also acknowledging it was “not clear when or if those payments will be made.” That suggests the money was not secured at the time of the notice. So, as of July 10, there is no verified commitment from the new Texas-based owners to cover last month’s missing pay, and no evidence in the available reporting that employees have been made whole.

1 articles · Updated · WIFR · Jul 9

Tom and Jerry’s will hold open interviews on July 11 and July 14 at all 4 of its local locations, targeting former Beef-a-Roo workers after several Rockford-area closures.
Owner Robert Grottke said new hires could start almost immediately, including weekend shifts, with pay possible by the following Friday; the chain is also recruiting general managers.
Tom and Jerry’s will also accept Beef-a-Roo coupons, including those tied to Alpine Kiwanis Brat Days and other local fundraiser promotions, to help affected customers and community groups.
School fundraisers that had partnered with Beef-a-Roo can shift to Tom and Jerry’s, which said it would continue the events and provide donations to offset losses from the shutdowns.
Separately, the locally owned Freeport Beef-a-Roo at 1804 S. West Ave. said it will honor Beef-a-Roo coupons and is not affected by the closures.