PHILADELPHIA -- The 2015 acquisition of an area restaurant chain by Urban Outfitters meant a new background check process which, in turn, cost Vetri restaurants 30 employees.

According to Philadelphia Magazine, the E-Verify program that works with federal entities was run on Marc Vetri's 400 employees and revealed that 30 were not legally able to work in the U.S.

Per the Department of Homeland Security website, E-Verify is "an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States." The process compares an employee's citizenship and employment eligibility forms against U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration.

Prospective Vetri employees had their paperwork reviewed prior to being hired, according to the report, however the process was not nearly as thorough as E-Verify.

The change in policy came after Urban Outfitters, a Philadelphia-headquartered international chain of clothing stores for teenagers and young adults, bought the Italian eatery brand that operates locations in Philadelphia and a since shuttered site in Moorestown.

Lamenting the loss, Vetri told the magazine that some of the 30 ex-workers had been long-time employees and close friends with the Vetri family.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.