ORANGE VILLAGE, Ohio — In an email to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and obtained by News 5 Investigator Scott Noll, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill stated that it plans to lay off more than 400 workers in restaurants across the state.
.@FirebirdsGrill files notice of layoffs with the state. The restaurant says it’s laying off 410 workers across Ohio because of #COVID19 pandemic. Includes workers from Orange Village location. @WEWS #WEWS pic.twitter.com/o7A947i9CC
— Scott Noll (@ScottNoll_News) March 18, 2020
The restaurant said it would lay off 410 of its 450 employees at the following locations:
5555 Youngston-Warren Road, Niles, Trumbull County
8760 Sancus Blvd., Columbus, Franklin County
3500 Rigby Road, Miamisburg, Montgomery county
5075 Deerfield Blvd., Mason, Warren County
211 Park Ave., Orange Village, Cuyahoga County
According to the restaurant, “the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and related unprecedented federal guidance and state orders closing restaurants has caused a significant impact on the business of Firebirds Wood Fired Grill."
In a statement sent to News 5, Firebirds' Vice President of Marketing, Stephen Loftis said, "The filing in question was made pursuant to a state order requiring restaurants to close from providing dine-in service as well as federal reporting requirements. This is a temporary furlough during the required closure of dine-in service for our Firebirds restaurants."
The restaurant said the employees were notified prior to the announcement.
Employees who were furloughed will be recalled once the federal restrictions are lifted, Loftis said.
