Hard Times Cafe Reopens After Computer Ransom Demand

ROCKVILLE, MD — Business has resumed at the Hard Times Café in Rockville after a week’s closure when computer hackers demanded a ransom to unlock its computers, say the eatery’s owners.

The venue known for its burgers, wings, chili and sports-watching was the victim of hackers taking over the business’ computers. That left the staff unable to ring up purchases.

When Hard Times staffers came in March 20, they had a message demanding $10,000, paid by Bitcoin, to release computer files. The staff was totally shut out of the restaurant’s computers.

Owners Bob Howard and Scott Roth decided rather than pay the ransom, they would install a totally new computer system at the 1117 Nelson St. location.

Work wrapped up Saturday, and the restaurant was open as normal on Monday.

“The FBI tells us they can’t keep up with ransomware cases,” Howard told WTOP. “The advice is either pay the ransom or shut down your entire systems and rebuild from scratch. And that’s what we’re doing.”

About three dozen full-time and part-time employees were out of work while the restaurant was closed, WTOP reports.

Hard Times Cafe has been in business at the site since 1984. There are 11 other locations in Maryland and Virginia.

»Photo of Hard Times Cafe, from the restaurant website