Tijuana Flats, Tex-Mex restaurant in 4 states, closing 11 locations, filing for bankruptcy

foxbusiness.com:

Inflation is falling but buying food can still be expensive. Grocery prices surged 21% in the last three years, surpassing the overall 18% pace of inflation during that same time period, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A Central Florida Tex-Mex restaurant chain that has locations in four southeastern states has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after closing 11 locations.

Tijuana Flats, whose first location was opened in Winter Park, Florida, by founder Brian Wheeler in 1995, made the announcement of new ownership «with a plan of revitalizing its restaurants and reinvigorating the customer experience.»

The company's new ownership group is Flatheads, LLC. It was previously owned by TJF USA, LLC. 

«Our company is excited by the new ownership group’s plan to reinvest, focus, and emphasize the things that originally brought so many people to love Tijuana Flats,» CEO Joe Christina, who joined the brand in November 2022, said in the release. «We understand the immediate financial actions taken by them to ensure the long-term health of this great and iconic brand.»

RED LOBSTER CONSIDERING BANKRUPTCY FILING: REPORT

A waitress serving food at Tex-Mex food in Tijuana Flats. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Financial restructuring plans started in November 2023, when the company considered options that included a potential sale. The locations determined for closure were «a result of a unit-by-unit analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs, and market conditions.»

Tijuana Flats locations can be found in Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. It is known for its fast-casual style, offering specials on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Franchises also offer a