Old Chicago holds job fair for hundreds of displaced Denny’s employees

Colorado state regulators are taking the reins of eight Southern Colorado Denny’s restaurants after their franchise owner failed to pay $191,000 in sales and payroll taxes.

Four of those restaurants are in Colorado Springs, and the sudden closure left hundreds of people jobless.

However, local businesses like Old Chicago stepped in quickly to help. The North Academy location hosted a job fair on Wednesday.

“I’m supposed to be at work right now, I work the 9-3 shift, 9-2 shift,” Andrew Bicknell, a former Denny’s employee explained.

Bicknell attended the job fair, along with dozens others, including Alexandro Jones.

“I was shocked, nobody expects to go into work then be called and say, ‘Hey, we’re not working,'” Jones said.

Former employees also question the manner in which they were told they were no longer going to have jobs.

“My store manager didn’t call me — I found out from Facebok, friends, all over the news,” Bicknell added.

Kevi Westbay and her staff at Old Chicago acted immediately upon hearing the news of the closures.

“It’s hard, talking with these people and seeing the situation that they’re in right now and the emotions they’re dealing with — it warms my heart,” said Westbay.

Westbay says she’s determined to help qualified applicants find jobs. “We have positions that need filled, so there’s no reason why we can’t help.”

If you missed the job fair, Westbay encourages those looking for work to drop by any Old Chicago location with a resume.