A federal appeals court has upheld a decision ordering the owners of five Famous Dave's restaurants in the Omaha area to pay damages stemming from an overtime dispute.

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling Friday against Barbeque Ventures, BBQ Ventures of Nebraska and Old Market Ventures LLC.

The restaurants' owners must pay roughly $90,000 in back pay and damages. Interest on the judgment could make the amount owed larger.

The U.S. Department of Labor says the company didn't pay overtime to employees who worked at more than one of the restaurants. The award of liquidated damages was the only issue on appeal.

Federal law requires employees be paid time and one-half per hour beyond 40 hours in a workweek.