Columbus' On The Border closes without notice to employees and customers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Tex-Mex restaurant located near Easton Town Center has abruptly closed, according to a social media account owned by the franchise.
On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina at 4175 Morse Crossing is listed as "Permanently Closed" on its Facebook page. Additionally, several distressed comments confirming the shuttering were written under a Feb. 20 post advertising the chain's rewards program.
"WARNING TO ALL EMPLOYEES THAT ARE LEFT AT ANY OTB… LEAVE NOW!!!" wrote one commenter. "You left me without a job!! No notice! no warning! Nothing!! ... I was there almost 14 years!!! Left with NOTHING!!! Shame on you OTB!!!"
More comments revealed that locations in other states were also shut down without indication to workers or patrons.
"Why did you close all locations in AZ?" wrote one person. "No notice whatsoever to your loyal email club customers. Did you at least notify your employees so they weren't left high and dry?"
"same thing on Long Island NY," noted another individual.
"Why have you been closing a ton of locations over the past few weeks?" questioned one writer. "Someone needs to call your open places and warn your employees."
The On The Border website shows it no longer has a presence in Ohio. The chain's "find a restaurant" page also revealed that Long Island and Arizona sites were missing from listings.
A public notification of layoffs and closures, or WARN Notice, does not appear on the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for the eatery.
The brand's owner, Argonne Capital Group, describes itself as a "closely-held private investment firm that makes equity investments in a diverse range of middle market enterprises" on its website. Other "active investments" it lists include RCG Ventures, IHOP, Applebee's, Planet Fitness, John Deere, Schill Grounds Management, Sonny's BBQ, Keystone Fireworks, Wingstop and Country View Bulk Foods.
NBC4 has reached out to Argonne about the closings.