WORKERS at six Pizza Hut branches in south London have not been paid by their boss for up to two months, angry staff revealed today. 

Croydon Solidarity Network said Simon Byrne, who owns the franchised restaurants in Croydon, Northbury, South Croydon, Horsham, Tunbridge Wells and Carshalton, had shut his shops without offering his staff furlough or sick pay.

The workers claim he has repeatedly lied about when they will receive their wages, which were due on April 10.

Mr Byrne allegedly refuses to talk to staff who have approached him on the matter and has contacted the police. 

He also is claimed to have offered, through a WhatsApp message, to pay employees in olives and napkins instead of cash as he has a “large stockpile.”

His staff have complained of abuses such as being required to work after 1am without pay.

United Voices of the World tweeted: “@pizzahut pay your workers properly and pay them now! 

“Do you really want us to turn up at your restaurants? Because we will.”

A shift manager at one branch, who asked to remain anonymous, said Mr Byrne was not responding to calls.

“I’ve had to borrow money from my friends and family as I have insurance bills,” he said. “If he had paid me on time, I wouldn’t have these problems.

“It’s like slave work. He expects us to work like dogs. He usually pays us late, but it’s especially difficult during the crisis. People have had enough.”

A Pizza Hut statement said: “We have been made aware of sensitive franchise-store matters, and although this is a Delivery Hut and is operated separately, we can assure you that this will be handled accordingly by relevant people.”

UPDATE: April 21

A Pizza Hut spokesperson said” “Pizza Hut Head Office is aware of issues related to employee payment by a franchisee with six Huts in London and the South East. 

“Pizza Hut Head Office has stepped in and we are ensuring that all team members are being paid for hours worked. We have been in touch with team members at these stores via text and / or email over the past few days with details about payment, and to provide additional support where possible during these exceptional times.

“We are deeply sorry for what has happened and would like to apologise to any team members affected and reassure them that we are committed to making this right. We are assessing the issue separately and will manage the franchisee situation appropriately, including any support that may be necessary.

“We realise that not every team member may have seen these communications or been reached. We are asking anyone who worked at the affected Huts to get in touch with us at [email protected] to receive payment for hours worked and any further support they may need at this time.”