Recently, eight employees were fired from Hat Creek Burger Company in Dripping Springs. They participated in a national protest called Day Without Immigrants, which aimed to highlight the vital role immigrants play in the United States workforce.
Francisco Perez, an assistant general manager, was also let go, accused of encouraging others to skip work—a claim he strongly denies. He stated that while he didn’t think the restaurant should close for the protest, management should have been upfront about the repercussions employees might face for participating.
Perez noted that his manager initially said workers would just lose their hours for that day. However, when he provided a list of those intending to miss work, management changed their position. That Sunday night, an unexpected message went out, calling the next day “Team Appreciation Day” and offering free meals and $25 Amazon gift cards to those who showed up.
One former employee, Gudelia Calderon, expressed her disappointment. She had worked at Hat Creek for four and a half years without ever experiencing an Employee Appreciation Day or receiving holiday gifts. “They didn’t even give us anything for Christmas,” she remarked.
Catalina Portillo, another fired employee, shared her frustration. After almost five years with the company, she felt it was unfair to lose her job for participating in a protest, which she viewed as her right. She described the situation as an act of racism.
The founder of Hat Creek, Drew Gressett, has emphasized the importance of relationships in his business model. His message is clear: “Above burgers, we want to be known for relationships.” Yet, Calderon disagreed, feeling that if families truly mattered, her family wouldn’t have faced termination without concern for their well-being. She had informed her manager ahead of time about her planned absence in support of the Latino community.
Even with a work visa, Calderon felt compelled to stand in solidarity with her community during the protest. She stated, “This is a huge injustice,” highlighting how unexpected her termination was.
The story raises questions about workplace treatment, rights, and the impact of community actions on employment. Many still feel that organizations should uphold their values, especially during sensitive times.
Jordan Buckley, who was previously involved with Hays County advocacy group Mano Amiga, now publishes the Caldwell/Hays Examiner and reflects on the ongoing challenges workers face.
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Day Without Immigrants, Hat Creek Burger Company
