June 11 marked the first missed paycheck at the Spring Hill, Tennessee, Beef-A-Roo, and employees say they have gone nearly a month without wages for work performed since June 7.
Manager David Brown said his 15 employees are owed more than $20,000, with some falling behind on rent, utilities and car payments before he decided to shut the restaurant after repeated deposit delays.
Wage complaints have been filed with Tennessee labor authorities, but Brown said the process could take another month and still requires a response from Beef-A-Roo corporate.
The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said it cannot guarantee workers will recover their unpaid wages, and Brown said the group may pursue legal action.
Brown said similar problems are unfolding at nearly every Beef-A-Roo location nationwide as corporate appears to be closing down; the company and its new ownership did not respond.