A Massive Fast Food Franchisee Now Files For Bankruptcy

January 31, 2024

A massive fast food franchisee now files for bankruptcy in Barry, Illinois, baffling employees and customer alike, sources report.

Staff at a Wendy’s location were shocked when they arrived at the store to see its doors were shut, reports The-Sun.

The location in Barry, Illinois, around 30 miles east of Springfield, announced it would close down for good.

The announcement came through the surprised members of staff at the 2 Cieten Plaza branch on January 20, according to My Journal Courier.

This shock closure followed news that the franchisee that owns the location had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2023.

The Starboard Group had leases for around 72 restaurants across the south and midwest in Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Alabama, and Florida.

This group also operated several other restaurants like 20 Applebee’s and 15 Subways.

Customers took to social media after learning about the news.

“Welp, Wendy’s in Barry is permanently closed,” one Facebook poster said with a crying face emoji.

“I’m gonna miss my chicken sandwiches,” one person responded.

“Oh god I was just thinking about running over there soon,” another person posted.

Another Starboard Group-owned local Wendy’s location in Hannibal, Missouri has also shut its doors.

This location employed around 13 people and one employee shared how she found out.

Abigail Conley, the night manager of the restaurant, said the news was confirmed by the general manager when she arrived for her shift, according to Muddy River News.

“I walked in to do my 5 p.m.-to-midnight shift, and they just said we were closing,” she said.

“I asked if they would be giving us a reason, and they said no.”

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Also Read: A Massive Clothing Retailer Will Now Lay Off 357 Employees

Other Economy News Today

Three massive restaurant chains now begin closing locations as executives state plunging sales are the primary blame.

TGI Friday’s, Chili’s, and Hooters, are closing a total of 38 locations nationwide, reports The-Sun.

Bosses have cited a slump in sales as a reason for the closures, but some customers blame other issues.

TGI Fridays shocked the restaurant business earlier this month when it announced the closure of 36 locations nationwide.

The decision affects restaurants in 12 different states, including seven locations in New Jersey, six in Massachusetts, and five in New York.

President and COO of TGI Fridays Ray Risley described the closures as “opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations” in a press release.

Many of the restaurants have already closed, with signs on the doors informing customers that their old eatery is now gone.

Meanwhile, competitor Chili’s has closed down one restaurant this month.

Diners enjoyed their last meals at the location in the Arboretum shopping center in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 9.

The reason for the closure has been attributed to an expiring lease, a spokesperson for the restaurant chain told the Charlotte Observer.

But locals on a Reddit community for Charlotte have said the location was repeatedly understaffed.

“Not surprising,” wrote one former customer.

“Randomly stopped at this location a few months ago… they were turning people away at the door because the only wait staff they had was the bartender.”

The “breastaurant” industry is not immune to closures either, as Hooters in Lafayette, Louisiana, suddenly closed down this week.

The shutdown was completely out of the blue, with employees showing up to work on Tuesday, January 9 only to find out they no longer had a job.

One employee told local ABC affiliate KATC: “Managers didn’t mention anything.

“As far as I know, our managers didn’t know about the situation. It was a complete shock.”

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Also Read: SNAP Benefits Will Now Increase For The Year 2024

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