If you’ve strolled through Mercato in Naples, Florida lately, you might’ve noticed a familiar corner spot suddenly looking a little… empty. That’s because Bravo Italian Kitchen is no more. The cozy pasta-slinging staple that served Naples locals for over 15 years shut its doors in July. And now, its parent company has filed for bankruptcy—for the second time in five years.
Bravo Brio Restaurants LLC, which owns both Bravo and Brio Tuscan Grille, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week. The company says it’s been hit hard by inflation and soaring interest rates, and is looking to shed debt, cut costs, and find someone brave enough to invest in a restaurant chain that’s been here before, literally. Their last bankruptcy filing was in 2020.
This time, they’ve already closed seven locations, including the one in Naples. If you’re thinking “ouch,” you’re not wrong. But they’re not alone…