The Maine Department of Labor is looking for workers who have been laid off by any of the seven or more Subway franchises that were ordered closed Wednesday by Maine Revenue Services, including restaurants in Lisbon Falls, Portland and Westbrook.

All of the locations are franchises belonging to a large Subway franchise group MTF Subway, which owns 15 locations in Maine and a total of 45 locations in four states.

The Maine Department of Labor statement said it is “attempting to reach affected workers who have lost their employment.”

A statement attributed to Commissioner Laura Fortman said, “The Department is here to assist these workers through this period of uncertainty.” 

At least seven locations closed on Wednesday and an eighth location in Blue Hill is reportedly also closed. Phone calls to the Blue Hill location on Thursday would not go through and online ordering was not available at that location.

Maine Revenue Services revoked the registration certificates of what it characterized as “several” Subway locations, but has refused to elaborate.

A statement from the Department of Administrative and Financial Services states: “There are many reasons a registration certificate could be revoked and would be specific to each tax situation.  Due to confidentiality requirements, MRS cannot comment on individual tax situations.”

A sign posted on one of the closed Subway locations Wednesday states: “The seller’s registration certificate of this establishment has been revoked for noncompliance with Part 3, 36 M.R.S.A.,” which primarily governs the state’s sales and use tax.

Michael T. Fay is the owner and founder of MTF Subway, according to its website. A photo of him outside the location on Allen Avenue in Portland, which he acquired in 2024, is posted to his Facebook page. It is one of the locations that was shut down.

According to the MTF Subway website, the company acquired five Subway locations in Maine in 2023, with the other 10 being purchased a year later.

Workers who were laid off and are owed wages are urged to contact the Bureau of Labor Standards by filling out a complaint form, or calling 207-623-7900.