Turmoil unfolds at Turkey Leg Hut as co-owner Nakia Holmes gives the boot to her estranged husband and lays off six employees amid a financial fiasco. Holmes, gaining strength after an abusive marriage revelation, was "made aware of potential financial mismanagement at my company," she said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. Quick to respond, a finance team was recruited to dissect the books, unearthing "financial discrepancies that demanded immediate action," resulting in a "temporary two-week payroll delay" and subsequent staff layoffs.
The shake-up at the popular Third Ward eatery, known for drawing big names like 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg, got public attention when co-founder Lynn Price was served his walking papers via email earlier this week, a detail shared by Price himself on Instagram. Though he pulled the post down by Tuesday morning, the web was already buzzing thanks to other accounts keeping the story alive. In a group chat, Holmes relayed the layoffs, attributing her "personal journey," which included a divorce, which has thrown both her life and the restaurant's operations into disarray, according to the Houston Chronicle.
This isn't Turkey Leg Hut's first waltz with controversy. Prior grievances include noise complaints from neighbors and lawsuits swirling around unpaid debts with a food supplier. Adding to the pile, accusations of "financial misconduct" have now led to the firing of two more employees, detailed by Holmes in her correspondence with CW39.
Despite the maelstrom of bad press, Holmes maintains a stance of recuperation and diligence. "Our immediate plan is to address the two-week back pay promptly and continue on the path to ensuring The Turkey Leg Hut is celebrated... for our exemplary business practices," she vowed, hoping for a rebound that will allow for rehiring come late summer, as mentioned in her statement by the Houston Chronicle. Meanwhile, Price was dealt a disciplinary email from Key Synergies, a consulting company, outlining his termination amid accusations of letting the restaurant's finances go to pot, as reported by the Chron.
The embattled restaurant's Instagram remains tight-lipped, with comments currently switched off, as the management works to navigate through their self-proclaimed "moment of transformation." Holmes echoed her determination to see through the storm, sharing her resolve to "trust God and standing on business."
