O’Reilly Hospitality conducts ‘temporary’ layoffs

Tim O’Reilly: Layoffs are “emotional and extremely difficult.”

O’Reilly Hospitality Management LLC made “temporary” layoffs in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on the hospitality industry, according to the company’s leader.

“I’m extremely committed to bringing all these people back,” O’Reilly Hospitality CEO Tim O’Reilly said. “We are going to survive. We’re going to persevere and we're going to get through this.

“The layoffs have been horrific and it's a very emotional and extremely difficult thing to do at this time.”

O’Reilly declined to say how many jobs within the company are impacted, as “it’s a really fluid situation.” He said the company has 1,800 employees in nine states.

“We’ve had a dramatic reduction at our restaurants and hotels,” he said.

O’Reilly cited travel restrictions implemented by corporations and governmental bodies that he said are adversely affecting all companies in the hospitality industry. Mayor Ken McClure yesterday announced a ban on public gatherings of 10 or more people and the closure of businesses that offer entertainment, recreation or are a bar or food establishment, with exceptions for delivery, pickup and drive-thru services. President Donald Trump has delivered similar guidance.

O’Reilly said he’s been in contact with lawmakers to “make sure they understand the significance of this event.”

“We’re just trying to survive this,” he said. “When travel declines, then hotel occupancy declines.”

O’Reilly Hospitality’s website lists 20 hotels and 11 restaurants and bars under its management. The company also is working on BigShots Golf attractions in Springfield and Fort Worth, Texas, and it has an event venue called The Barley House At Moon Town Crossing that opened last year in north Springfield.

O’Reilly Hospitality ranked No. 8 on Springfield Business Journal’s 2018 Dynamic Dozen list of the area’s fastest-growing companies. The company reported 2015-17 revenue growth of 44% to $71.9 million.