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Cybercriminal group claimed responsibility for the attack. Payment systems and the MVP rewards program were disrupted. At some locations, staff resorted to manually recording customers’ card data.
Boca Raton, FL — March 24, 2026 — Duffy’s Sports Grill, a popular casual dining and sports bar chain with several locations across South Florida, has been struck by a ransomware attack attributed to the cybercriminal group known as Qilin. The incident, which surfaced in March 2026, crippled the company’s internal systems and caused significant disruptions for both customers and staff for at least one week.
According to information obtained by the Tribune, multiple Duffy’s locations could not process credit card payments for several days following the attack. As a workaround, employees at least one location began manually recording customers’ card information, assuring them that charges would process once systems were restored — a practice cybersecurity experts consider risky and potentially non-compliant with payment industry standards.
The chain’s MVP loyalty rewards program was also affected. As recently as this Monday, members reported being unable to access or accumulate points, adding to customer frustration while the brand’s reputation is already under pressure.
What Is Ransomware?
Ransomware is a malicious software that infiltrates a company’s systems, encrypts its data, and demands payment — typically in cryptocurrency — in exchange for restoring access. The Qilin group, which claimed responsibility for this attack, targets mid-size businesses across various industries. No details have been made public regarding the scope of any data breach or whether a ransom was paid.
What Customers Should Do
Customers who dined at Duffy’s during the affected period and had their credit card information recorded manually should closely monitor their bank and card statements in the coming weeks. Report any unauthorized or suspicious charges immediately to their financial institution. As a precaution, cardholders may also consider requesting a replacement card.
The Boca Raton Tribune reached out to Duffy’s Sports Grill for an official statement but had not received a response by press time.
Source: Information regarding the ransomware claim was sourced from a cybersecurity monitoring report published at hendryadrian.com/ransom-duffys-sports-grill-mar-2026/, which tracks public claims made by ransomware groups. The Tribune was unable to independently verify the claim, as Duffy’s Sports Grill did not respond to requests for comment.
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