Thousands of employees who were stunned by the sudden shutdown of Bennigan's restaurants and two other sister restaurants are now learning that the bankruptcy is giving them more financial headaches.

Former employees of the Bennigan's and Steak & Ale in Addison stopped by their former workplace Thursday to find answers after some never received their last paychecks. Other former employees said while they received their last paychecks, they were no good.

Ashley Cantrell, who worked at a Bennigan's in Irving, said her last check bounced.

"When you are server who only makes $2 an hour, you count on tips and those little checks to get you by from week to week," she said.

Now, the check cashing company where she cashed it nearly two weeks ago want money.

"If I don't come up there to pay the amount, which was $71.54, then they were going to file charges on me," she said.

Adam Kaelin, who worked at a Steak & Ale in Plano said he deposited three checks at the same time and all were returned.

"The overdraft fees, those add up and they rival the amount of the check when you get two or three at a time," he said. "That's a car payment."

It's the same story for employees at a Bennigan's in Virginia.

News 8 tried to contact the owners of the Bennigan's and Steak & Ale chains and its parent company. The person who answered the door refused to comment.

Now, Cantrell said she wants others to be aware before the same thing happens to them.

"You are better off not cashing them," she said. "You are better off leaving them in your pocket."

E-mail mdiaz@wfaa.com