Some former staff at George Calombaris' restaurant empire could be forced to wait up to a year to receive backpay for missing wages and entitlements after his company Made Establishment failed to resolve a disastrous payroll bungle.

The delay until June 2018 has angered some former workers, who have called on the Masterchef star and his multi-millionaire business partner Radek Sali to personally settle the outstanding debts owed to staff.

George Calombaris (right) and business partner Radek Sali. Credit:Paul Jeffers

Made Establishment reported itself to the Fair Work Ombudsman in April after an internal audit revealed significant payroll discrepancies throughout its restaurant chain. The company said it had spent $2.6 million to compensate 160 current employees.

At the time, former staff were also urged to submit claims, which were supposed to be investigated and paid out by June 30, 2017.