Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, announcing the permanent closure of 70 locations.
Bankruptcy filing and immediate shutdown
The petition was submitted to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, according to the company’s press release. All 70 restaurants will cease operations by the end of the day, ending a decade‑long presence in the fast‑casual market.
Officials said the move stemmed from “sustained pressure on consumer demand, past strategic growth challenges and rising costs.” The recent Cyclospora outbreak, though not linked to any of the chain’s sites, further dampened confidence among diners.
History of store closures
Founded in 2013, the brand has faced a series of setbacks. Earlier this year it shuttered 41 locations in Texas, followed by another 32 units in Texas and Oklahoma in January. Those cuts were framed as a shift toward core markets in Arizona and Nevada.
CEO Michael Tattersfield, who took the helm in April 2025, previously described the Texas expansion as “flawed” because the company relied on a large central kitchen that strained resources. Efforts to consolidate operations at the Phoenix headquarters aimed to improve food quality, menu innovation and the guest experience, but those initiatives did not reverse the downward trend.
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While the bankruptcy process will allow the firm to “realize the value of its assets and to meet its obligations in an orderly manner,” the statement from Tattersfield called the day “painful” for employees and customers alike. He thanked the team, guests and partners for their support.
Industry context
The closure adds to a series of recent bankruptcies in the restaurant sector, which has been hit by heightened price sensitivity among consumers. In June, On the Border entered a Chapter 7 liquidation after shrinking to five sites. Earlier this year, Fat Brands emerged from bankruptcy under multiple new owners, and franchisees for Hardee’s, Carl’s Jr. and Applebee’s have also filed for protection.
Assets tied up in the current filing could be sold to investors seeking to revive select locations or to repurpose the real estate. The broader market may see further consolidation as chains grapple with rising operating costs and shifting consumer habits.
Given the pattern of recent failures, analysts might expect that only the most financially resilient concepts will survive the current climate. Ongoing pressure on demand suggests that any future expansion attempts will need to be carefully calibrated to avoid overextension.
