Johnny Carino's abrupt closure, leaves employees jobless

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — It was last week when Johnny Carino’s in Twin Falls abruptly closed. The restaurant’s location is also no longer on the company’s website.

Employees like Manuel Valle found out through word of mouth about the restaurant closing down.

“Found out through text that we no longer had a job on New Year’s Eve, and I was like, ‘oh wow,’” says Valle.

Valle was a kitchen cook for three years at Carino’s, while Kim Novack, was the Person in Charge (PIC) for staff. Novack also found out through text message that she lost her job.

“They came in on Tuesday and this is corporate, and they said we are closing down today,” says Novack.

Employees say the news left them upset and even surprised-- wondering how they will support their families.

“I have a mortgage to pay and kids to take care of-- a family. But I was also worried about my other crew members that worked there,” says Novack.

“They could have informed us a little ahead of time and been a little more professional about it, but they cut us off at the knees right then and there,” says Valle.

According to Novack, employees were directed to pick up their last paycheck on Friday.

“We had to show up at a certain time or they weren’t going to be there anymore, and they were going to be mailed out, so there was a lot of communication that wasn’t happening,” says Novack.

Novack also says some of the former employees are still waiting for their paycheck, while others had to start the new year off by filing for unemployment.

“I filed for unemployment this past weekend, you know, and I’m still pretty upset about it,” says Valle.

KMVT did reach out to both the general manger and assistant manager of Johnny Carino’s. However, they declined to make a comment. In the meantime, the former employees are now in search of new jobs.

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