One of the suspects allegedly used a gun to force an employee to hand over an undisclosed amount of the restaurant's cash at about 8:30 p.m. Thursday, said Sgt. Kevin Blake of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station.

"They didn't eat, they just came right in and started robbing the place," said David Hernandez, Denny's manager.

The men never turned their threats toward any customers, he said.

The suspects skipped the grand slam, but law enforcement officials think the robbers might have hit a double.

Three suspects matching the same description hit another Denny's at 12861 Encinitas Ave in Sylmar 20 minutes later, Blake said.

"Law enforcement is looking at whether the crimes are connected. The crimes look similar," he said.

The Los Angeles Police Department and sheriff's deputies are coordinating a joint investigation, Blake said.

Law enforcement is relying on surveillance video and physical descriptions to solve the case, he said.

The suspects are described as three black men in their mid-20s.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station at (661) 251-1121.