Two-week notice? How about a two-hour notice?
Two blindsided Foxtrot market employees captured the moment they found out they — and hundreds of workers — were out of a job at the popular cafe chain when it was revealed the company was going under on Tuesday.
“So we just found out our store is closing today at 12,” TikTok user @sadkiwigirl explained, alongside another employee at the Foxtrot cafe who seemed as caught off guard by the news.
As they filmed the TikTok, a co-worker mentioned that it was currently “10:14” in the morning, meaning in less than two hours, they’d be clocking out and never returning.
Clarifying the bizarreness of the situation, the employee, also known as Giulia, reiterates that the “chain is shutting down.”
“I have a few more hours on my shift… When do I take my 30?” the TikToker joked.
While the two employees were soaked in the situation’s confusion, she pointed out that the cafe was packed with people enjoying coffee and working on their laptops in the dining area.
The video then cuts to a final customer leaving the store with the on-screen caption “Kicked out all the customers !!”
“Found out 2 hours before that our company was closing nationwide!!! anyone know how to file for unemployment???” the TikToker captioned her video, which has already amassed 2.8 million views.
Foxtrot unexpectedly closed all 33 of its locations in Illinois, Texas, and the Washington, DC, area on April 23, according to a company-released statement.
Included with the closures were two Dom’s Kitchen & Market grocery stores owned by the company.
“We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts,” the company wrote.
“We understand that this news may come as a shock, and we apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.”
Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market announced a merger and formed the entity called Outfox Hospitality in late 2023, according to Substack newsletter Snaxshot.
But just days before the closures, Outfox Hospitality had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The company made no mention of filing for bankruptcy in their statement.
The now-defunct hospitality company also terminated the employment of corporate staffers.
About 1,000 staffers work at Outfox across several states.
All the employees who were abruptly canned were reportedly not offered any form of severance.
However, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of now-former employees against Outfox Hospitality, according to Progressive Grocer — one day after the company terminated staffers without notice.
Attorneys allege that Outfox Hospitality violated legislation under the US Department of Labor, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, by mass-laying off its employees without ample warning—which, in most cases, requires a 60-day notice.
WARN still applies even if a company files for bankruptcy.
The filing seeks compensation for 60 days of unpaid wages and salaries for all terminated employees and requests payments on all holiday and vacation pay.
Legal representatives for the former employees have also requested a jury trial, according to the outlet.
While the situation seemed like a major mess, TikTok users who viewed the viral video seemed as bewildered as she was.
“They didn’t give you any warning so you could line up another job so I’d definitely look into suing or see if you do qualify for some coverage,” one user commented.
“It’s crazy too bc foxtrot is always so busy. SO WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING,” another questioned.
“If you got any dirt – just remember they can’t keep you from telling everyone unless they’re still paying you or you signed some sort of severance agreement!” wrote another.
