Adding to a growing list of restaurant entities that have recently gone bankrupt, the parent company of the Don Pablo’s casual chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company, Rita Restaurant Corp., pinned the filing on casual dining’s decline as well as fast-casual Mexican chains’ growing prominence, the Wall Street Journal said, citing court papers.
It owns 16 Don Pablo’s units in addition to one Hops Grill and Brewery, according to the WSJ. An affiliate of Food Management Partners manages the chain, which it acquired in 2014.
Several other brands run by FMP are currently in bankruptcy, including Zio’s Italian Kitchen.
Just yesterday, news broke that the operator of the Souplantation and Sweet Tomatoes buffet chains had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, following similar moves by the respective operators of Logan’s Roadhouse and the Champps, Bailey’s and Fox & Hound chains.
Fast-casual Cosi's franchisor also filed for bankruptcy last week.
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