A Chicago sandwich shop fired all its employees via email Sunday night, just three days before Christmas.
Snarf’s Sub Shop sent an email saying to its 20 employees saying that they were all immediately terminated, and the store would be closed indefinitely for “remodeling and reconcepting,” the Chicago Grid reports.
The news comes just weeks after Snarfs employees went on strike with other Chicago food industry workers for higher wages and better benefits. The strike closed the store from Dec. 5 to Dec. 8.
A Snarf’s spokeswoman denied that the mass firing was a result of the strike, but said that business had been sluggish. “During the Christmas holiday we’re pretty slow,” she said. “The restaurant’s usually three quarters closed. This does happen to coincide, but this is something we’ve had planned for awhile.”
The email to the fired employees, which was written entirely in bullet points, ended with a warm, personal message, just in time for the holidays.
“Ownership appreciates your service and wish you well in your new endeavors.”