PORTLAND (WGME) — At least seven Subway locations in Maine owned by MTF Subs were forced to close Wednesday after their business registration certifications were revoked, leaving employees surprised and seeking answers.

Joshua Rogers, assistant manager of the Subway in Wiscasset, described the abrupt closure.

“Around 10 o’clock, a gentleman came through my door, and he wasn’t looking like he was looking for a sandwich,” Rogers said. “He’s like, ‘Well, I’m about to give you a pretty bad day. You gotta turn the lights off, and you gotta close the doors. I’m with the State Revenue, and we are shutting you down.'”

Rogers says he immediately asked why, but Maine Revenue Service officials told him they couldn’t provide details and instructed him to close the establishment.

A closed sign was placed on the door, stating, “The seller’s registration certificate of this establishment has been revoked for noncompliance with Part 3, 36 M.R.S.A.”

The closures affected locations in Topsham, Portland, Brunswick, Lisbon Falls, Hampden, Westbrook and Wiscasset.

The MTF website lists 45 Subway franchise locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The company has eight other Subway locations in Maine, in Blue Hill, Boothbay, Bucksport, Calais, Machias, Old Town, Richmond and Standish.

Maine Revenue Service officials confirmed several Subway locations had their business registration certificates revoked but cited confidentiality requirements as the reason they could not comment on individual tax situations. The Maine Department of Labor said it is attempting to reach affected workers.

In the meantime, Rogers noted signs of trouble for weeks, with checks bouncing and direct deposits delayed. He says he and other employees have not been paid.

“I don’t know why now — it’s already been hard enough,” Rogers said, expressing uncertainty about the future but hoping for answers soon.

The New England director of operations for MTF stated he believes the situation is “temporary” and says they are working on resolving it.

BDN writer Ethan Andrews contributed reporting.