Franchisors at or near Bankruptcy

Here is a partial list of franchisors that have filed bankruptcy, or are reported near filing bankruptcy recently.

  • Perkins
  • Marie Callender’s
  • Old Country Buffet
  • Real Mex Restaurants
  • Giordano’s
  • Cork and Olive
  • Dial-a-Mattress
  • Bally Total Fitness
  • Friendly’s
  • Souper Salad
  • Sbarro
  • Dippin’ Dots
  • The Little Gym
  • Fatburger (A little controversial -Fatburger parent company not part of bankruptcy, but the two subsidiaries accounted for 72% its total revenue in 2008. The bankruptcy came under pressure from G.E. Capital Business Asset Funding, which Fatburger owed $3.9 million for defaulted loans.)
  • Mrs. Fields / TCBY

A bit older bankruptcies.  It shows that some brands can recover quite well, especially Denny’s, Day’s Inn, 7-Eleven and Church’s Chicken:

  • Bennigan’s – 2008
  • Baker’s Square – 2008
  • Roadhouse Grill – 2007
  • Ground Round -2004
  • Boston Market – 1998
  • Denny’s – 1997
  • Church’s Chicken – 1991
  • Sizzler’s – 1996
  • Krystal – 1995
  • Day’s Inn – 1990
  • 7-Eleven – 1990

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Article by Ryan Knoll

Ryan is an attorney and valuation specialist residing in Chicago. He chronicles his thoughts and research on FranchisePundit.com. You may reach him by email ryanknoll@gmail.com or mobile telephone 312-715-8115. Read 448 articles by
3 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Anonymous says:

    Atlanta Bread Company will be next

  2. Peter says:

    Very helpful. It’s good to know which areas to steer clear of with regards to starting your own frachise. There are a lot of restaurants mentioned here…

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