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ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) - Several Beef-a-Roo locations in the Rockford region appeared to close Thursday as troubles plague the fast-food chain.
Calls to the eight locations in Rockford, Loves Park, Machesney Park and Roscoe were not answered Thursday during normal operating hours. Local employees said they knew of at least two locations that were closed because they did not have food.
Despite signage saying the drive-thru was open, no cars were seen in the parking lot July 2 at the Beef-a-Roo at 6380 E. Riverside Blvd. in Loves Park.(WIFR)
The Beef-a-Roo website was also down Thursday and orders were not accepted at any of the local locations through the company’s app.
A sign posted in the drive-thru at the Beef-a-Roo location on Auburn Street tells customers the restaurant is closed.(WIFR)
The eight Winnebago County locations are as follows:
- 6116 N. 2nd Street, Loves Park
- 6380 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park
- 4601 Adamson Lane, Machesney Park
- 2538 Auburn Street, Rockford
- 1680 N. Alpine Road, Rockford
- 3401 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
- 6593 Lexus Drive, Rockford
- 5109 Rockrose Court, Roscoe
The only Rockford-area location open and accepting orders is Freeport, which is locally owned. WIFR reached out to the Freeport restaurant, 1804 S. West Avenue, for comment:
The closures come hours after the Texas-based company that manages the brand announced plans for restructuring, including the temporary closures of six additional locations. The company has also faced sharp scrutiny from employees saying they have not been paid, despite multiple reassurances from the chain saying employees should be getting their paychecks.
Related coverage: Springfield Beef-A-Roo employees say they were fired days after protesting paycheck delays
Beef-a-Roo opened in Rockford in 1967, by Dave DeBruler and Jean Vitale. Their children took over ownership in 2007. In 2019, Elysian Capital, a private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas, purchased the local fast-food chain. The company’s website shows it expanded to 29 restaurants across the country.
In April, the same eight Beef-a-Roo Inc.-managed locations around Rockford suddenly closed. Allegations about missing payments also swirled, resulting in the “Beef-a-Roo Loves Rockford” campaign that was designed to give back to its hometown.
A group of Rockford-area Beef-a-Roo employees shared plans for a demonstration on Friday, July 3 at the N. 2nd Street restaurant.
“We are now calling on community members to join us at the N. Second Street Beefaroo from 4-7 pm tomorrow as we strike to hopefully send a message to headquarters in TX that this is unacceptable!” the statement says in part. “We will not work for free! If you are unable to picket with us we would appreciate any donations of water, ice, sign making materials or even a honk as you drive past to let us know you are with us!”
No information has been shared about the apparent closures. WIFR has reached out to Beef-a-Roo, Inc. for comment, but has yet to hear back.
Copyright 2026 WIFR. All rights reserved.
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