Florida-Based Restaurant Chain Tijuana Flats Files for Bankruptcy, Closes 11 Locations

MAITLAND, Fla. - Tijuana Flats, a popular fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain, has announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed 11 locations, according to a news release issued on Friday. The bankruptcy filing comes after Tijuana Flats was acquired by Flatheads, LLC, a new ownership group, with plans to revitalize the brand.

Among the closed locations is the Tijuana Flats restaurant in Boynton Beach, along with nine others in Florida, as reported by USA TODAY. The closure of the Boynton Beach location was confirmed on the Tijuana Flats website, which no longer listed it as open. A sign posted on the door on April 22, 2024, informed customers about the closure and recommended visiting the restaurant at 6201 S Jog Road instead.

Despite the closures, Tijuana Flats' restaurants in Royal Palm Beach, Jupiter, and near Greenacres, as well as those on the Treasure Coast in Stuart and Port St. Lucie, remain open, according to the website. Tijuana Flats currently operates 65 company-owned locations throughout Florida, along with 26 franchised restaurants in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Tijuana Flats CEO Joe Christina expressed enthusiasm about the new ownership group's plans to reinvest and focus on the aspects that attracted loyal customers to Tijuana Flats in the first place. Christina stated, "We understand the immediate financial actions taken by them to ensure the long-term health of this great and iconic brand."

The decision to close the 11 restaurants was made after assessing financial performance, occupancy costs, and market conditions, as mentioned in the news release. However, Tijuana Flats reassured its franchisees that it will continue to provide full support, and the remaining locations will operate as usual.

In addition to the bankruptcy filing, Tijuana Flats recently rolled out a new menu, which includes updated packaging for take-out and delivery. The restaurant chain aims to enhance the customer experience and improve delivery times for its patrons. Furthermore, under the new ownership, Tijuana Flats plans to renovate many of its locations.

Founded in 1995 in Winter Park, Florida, Tijuana Flats quickly gained popularity for its flavorful Tex-Mex cuisine. Despite the recent challenges, the restaurant chain remains committed to serving its customers and supporting its franchisees.

Note: The title for this news article is "Florida-Based Restaurant Chain Tijuana Flats Files for Bankruptcy, Closes 11 Locations".