Hundreds of employees in multiple locations across Florida including Lakeland are without a job after American Car Center announced a sudden closure of its business on Friday.
Lakeland store was located at: 2725 US HWY 98 N Lakeland
Sam Brightman worked at American Car Center in Florida for more than five years.
“We created a big family here,” said Brightman.
But when he left work on Friday he had no idea it would be all of their last day on the job.
“Worked Friday, went home, and received a text message that said, you’re no longer an employee,” said Brightman.
All employees across American Car Center Tampa Bay area locations, and across the nation were unexpectedly let go.
“How are we going to pay our bills now, I have a child who’s disabled,” said Brightman.
Some employees did receive an email on Friday from the Memphis-based company’s CEO Noah Hogan. It said in part:
“The company has made the incredibly difficult decision to permanently cease all business operations. Effective close of business Feb. 24, 2023, all employees of the company will be terminated.”