Beef-a-Roo has laid off employees and closed 15 restaurants as the Midwest fast-casual chain struggles with mounting financial problems, leaving many workers uncertain about their futures and waiting for overdue paychecks.
The sweeping cuts affect locations across multiple states and mark one of the most significant restaurant workforce reductions announced this month.
Eight restaurants permanently close
The Rockford, Illinois-founded chain permanently closed all eight of its company-owned restaurants in the Rockford area as part of a major restructuring effort. An additional seven locations in Missouri, Indiana, Kansas and Arkansas have been temporarily closed while the company reevaluates operations.
In a statement, Vice President Jeremy Wise described the closures as difficult but necessary, saying the company is streamlining operations to build a “healthier, more resilient organization” for the future.
Employees caught off guard
Workers say they learned of the companywide layoffs through a late-night email informing them that their employment would end effective July 8. The exact number of employees affected has not been disclosed…