Mayflower Express Employees: We Just Want To Get Paid
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Mayflower Express Employees: We Just Want To Get...
Restaurant Manager Diane Hodges conceded, her boss owes employees money, but she blamed the credit card machine.
George Jackson/11 Connects
Published: September 14, 2009
Updated: September 17, 2009
Updated Thursday, September 17th at 8:30 a.m.
Bobby Hodges, owner of the Mayflower Seafood Restaurant in Elizabethton Tenn., told 11 Connects his restaurant has nothing to do with the Mayflower Express in Johnson City Tenn.
“We have zero to do with that place,“ Hodges said. “There are no ties between the stores.“
Hodges said his restaurant has been fielding angry phone calls from people mistaking his restaurant for the Mayflower Express (see below).
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Johnson City, Tenn.—In July, a new restaurant dubbed “Mayflower Express” opened on the Bristol Highway.
Chris Ramsey was “the numbers guy.“ He handled the paperwork, talked to accountants, and managed the floor at Mayflower Express. He said the Mayflower is a sinking ship.
“[Owner Ilias “Louie” Hatzikostopoulos] goes $16,000 in debt a month,“ Ramsey said. “Payroll is owed for six weeks. He owes employees a total up to $12,000,“ he said.
“It’s been a real bad damn problem,“ said cook and delivery driver Jason Arrington. “I’ve got several loans that I’ve had to take out, just to support myself and my family.“
Breanne Honeycutt helped open the restaurant. She said Hatzikostopoulos owes her $1,400. He fired her at least three times since July—only to hire her back.
“[I kept working for him because] I had faith. He kept telling us he would pay us,“ she said.
Hatzikostopoulos declined an interview Sunday.
Restaurant Manager Diane Hodges told 11 Connects he has been fielding roughly 10 threats a day from current and former employees. They stole supplies and money, vandalized the building, and threatened to burn Hatzikostopoulos’ house down, she said.
“One of them held a gun to Louie’s head last Thursday night, and that’s why he doesn’t want to talk about it,“ Hodges said. “He would probably break down.“
Hodges conceded, her boss owes employees money, but she blamed the restaurant credit card machine.
“Somehow, instead of going into the owner’s bank account, it’s floating somewhere,“ she said.
Arrington said employees complained to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the Better Business Bureau. They plan to file a civil suit in Washington County Court this week.
A local food distributor who preferred to remain anonymous said Mayflower Express owes them nearly $3,000. They delivered food, Mayflower’s check bounced, so they cut the restaurant off.
Click the play icon above for a video version of this report.
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Reader Reactions
jonrush, first time I saw my name with reference to this situation. Ilias has so many aliases. I read the papers about the Brick Oven, that was quite a bit of money. Why did he go to all the trouble to open this restaurant only to make such a fiasco out of it. I wanted this to be the opportunity I had been looking for and all the time he had stalked me to take the fall for his mess. He knew I was a felon and I guess he figured I could do the time, not him. I have taken responsibility for my actions and I think the feds need to give him the proper hotel room for his actions. We could have made a wonderful restaurant out of the store but not with him. Maybe we can at another time. I would like to have one of my own. I always have. I guess that’s why I wanted it to prosper. Apparently, Ms Hodges fits right in there with him. She has no brains either. I would like to say that the only connection with the restaurant in Elizabethton is blood; they had absolutely nothing to do with the opening of the Express. They also do not have a copyright on the name Mayflower Express that I know of. Maybe the Mayflower Restaurant but I’m not sure. I’ve posted several comments. I’ll check back.
i think its funny that the Restaurant manager got on the news and called all the employees a bunch of rednecks! she is the epitome of REDNECK!! she has NO room to talk about a bunch of rednecks
I wonder if it’s the same guy that bailed on Louie when he tried to open the (Brick Oven) in Jonesborough?
yes, brick-oven style. no kidding
I wonder if that guy has the same problems as Louie? Do you know what kind of store or Rest. it was?
ive never met him, but lou offered me to go to marryville to take over a store, probably under the same circumstances. i only assume it’s the same person. i dont think it matters now. lou has cut all ties.
Who is this new guy that he(Louie) supposed to have brought in to help with the lease?Do you know?
server, 2 things; one he can be found, but i cant serve him. the only other way would be the resturaunt, and he’s not coming back. so it would take a little more effort to hogtie him until the law catches up then before. on the other hand i would love to see greece.
jonrush…How do you know Louie is gone? If they can’t find him,how will they serve him. Don’t get me wrong I hope you all get paid.
lou is gone.
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