Major Auto Dealership Closes 10 Stores, Causing Employees to Take Drastic Action

FRANCHISED auto dealership American Car Center has won a class action lawsuit after permanently closing its 10 locations across Florida.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, says the company violated the WARN Act by failing to provide its hundreds of employees with 60 days’ notice or a reason for termination.

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The former employees are trying to collect wages and insurance premiums they owe for this 60-day period, ABC reports.

Sam Brightman, who worked at the American Car Center for over five years, said: “Worked Friday, went home and got a text message saying you’re no longer an employee.” ABC reports.

Brightman added, “I don’t know if I’m going to get a paycheck.

“I don’t know if I’ll be reimbursed for my vacation time.

“I don’t know if I even have health insurance at the moment. I do not know anything.”

However, some employees of the now-closed organization did not receive the notification.

Former six-year American Car Center employee Star Schnur said: “Unlike him [Brightman]I never got a text, I never got anything,” ABC reports.

Dealers CEO Noah Hogan sent a note to some employees on Friday: “The company has made the incredibly difficult decision to permanently cease all operations.

“Effective close of business on February 24, 2023, all employees of the Company will be terminated.”

Employees weren’t the only ones negatively impacted by the closure of this Memphis, Tennessee-based franchise.

Some American Car Center leasing customers haven’t been able to pay their auto bills because the company’s payment gateway was reported as crashed after the announcement, it said Fox.

American Car Center portal appears to be working now for lessees to make payments.

The company’s website adds that customers can also pay for financing over the phone at (877) 720-4477 or at an in-person CheckFreePay location.

A representative from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance confirmed that Westlake Financial Services is in the process of buying the dealer’s auto loans, Fox reports.

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