SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dozens of employees who were let go after the Sacramento location of Buca di Beppo abruptly closed about two months ago say they still haven't been paid promised wages.
The restaurant closed its doors in late July after 25 years. Former employees say they were promised wages that haven't been paid and they have nowhere to turn for an answer.
ABC10 spoke with the former executive chef of the Italian restaurant. He says he's angry and frustrated, and is now trying to fight for his employees who have families to take care of but have yet to receive any money.
"Basically 12 hours to 14 hours notice, they let us know and they shut down the store completely," said Aaron Torrance.
About 50 employees who worked at the Buca di Beppo on Howe Avenue were told it would be shutting down for good on the night of July 28.
Several pieces of furniture and equipment were placed outside the next day. Torrance says employees were given a letter.
"They were making the decision to close down the Sacramento location, that they would continue to pay employees for the next 60 days based on a median set of hours from the last 90 days they worked. They were told that would (be) received on their normal paydays every two weeks, and that process never happened," Torrance said.
Torrance showed ABC10 a copy of the letter, which is dated July 26 and says in part, "you will be paid out your regular wages through the next 60 days following the date of this letter."
It's part of the WARN Act, which protects employees, their families and communities by requiring employers to give a 60-day notice before a plant closing or mass layoff. But Torrance says it's been almost two months since the closing and his employees have yet to see a dime.
"We have been trying to find out as much information as we can. In the letters that we received, it told us to contact HR if there was any issue. Not one of the individuals received a call back from HR. We've been reaching out to our divisional vice president Jennifer Estep. Didn't get any information from her either concerning this," Torrance said.
Torrance says he's one of the lucky ones who was able to find employment elsewhere. Others are waiting in limbo as they try to find another job.
"It's just a mixture of confusion and sadness. It's just they don't know what to do next or how to approach the situation. They're lost. These are hourly employees working within a restaurant who worked very hard, worked very hard everyday to make something happen," Torrance said.
Employees are encouraged to file a claim with the California Department of Industrial Relations for the wages they are owed.
ABC10 reached out to Buca di Beppo for comment but did not hear back. According to court records, the chain filed for bankruptcy Monday, Aug. 5, a week after the Arden location closed. The location in Roseville is still open.
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