A well-known burger chain is getting much smaller. BurgerFi says more than 300 locations are expected to shut down as the company restructures, with Ohio among the hardest-hit states.
The move follows months of financial trouble at BurgerFi International, the owner of BurgerFi and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings. For customers and workers, it means fewer restaurants, job uncertainty, and another sign of how tough the restaurant business has become.
Bankruptcy set the stage for a major reset
BurgerFi International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2024 after reporting ongoing cash pressure, weaker sales, and rising operating costs. The company said at the time that it needed court protection to keep operating while it worked on a sale process and broader restructuring plan. According to court filings and company statements, the goal was to preserve the brands while cutting unprofitable operations.
The company had expanded quickly over the years through a mix of corporate and franchised stores. That strategy left BurgerFi with a large footprint, but also exposed it to higher labor, food, rent, and interest costs as the economy shifted. Executives said inflation and softer consumer spending had made it harder for many locations to remain viable…