CEBU CITY - In one of Cebu's well-known lechon places, there shall be no roasting for now.

The city government on Thursday padlocked two branches of Rico's Lechon for operating without a business permit. The restaurant's branches in Barangay Kamputhaw and Barangay Mabolo were closed when ABS-CBN News visited their locations.

In notices posted at the entrance of the two stores, the local government said the branches were shut down for continuing operations without a permit "despite two warnings."

In a statement posted on their website later on Thursday, Rico's Lechon said they "acknowledged" having receive the notice from the office of the mayor, but maintained that processing had been ongoing and the company was just waiting for the final business permit release when the notice of closure has been served.

It added, requirements for the release had been "duly received by the designated local office or department prior to the notice."