Fresh Kitchen Adds to Leadership Team
Discover how Fresh Kitchen's new operations and development leaders are poised to accelerate the brand’s growth and innovate in the fast-casual dining sector.
Jul 15, 2026
Discover how Fresh Kitchen's new operations and development leaders are poised to accelerate the brand’s growth and innovate in the fast-casual dining sector.
Jul 15, 2026
McDonald's taps seasoned leader Ugwechi Amadi as Chief Strategy Officer, bringing expertise from Nike and LIV Golf to spearhead the chain's forward-thinking NEXT strategy for restaurant owners and managers.
Jul 15, 2026
Learn how to start a food truck business by planning costs, permits, menus, equipment, locations, marketing, staffing, and efficient operations.
Jul 14, 2026
Explore leading restaurant equipment brands and learn how to choose reliable cooking, refrigeration, preparation, beverage, storage, and serving systems confidently.
Jul 14, 2026
Great Hill Partners takes a minority stake in Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming to accelerate franchise support, technology, and expansion.
Jul 14, 2026
Olive Garden brings back its $100 Pasta Pass for 13 weeks of unlimited pasta, soup or salad, and breadsticks; 10,000 passes, Aug 24 to Nov 22, dine-in only.
Jul 14, 2026
Resales accelerate amid boomer exits, tighter margins, and complex deals. Data gaps persist as brands formalize programs to keep units open.
Jul 14, 2026
Chipotle is launching its first Mexican location, redefining fast-casual strategy for restaurant leaders and offering key lessons for international growth and partnerships.
Jul 14, 2026
PizzaExpress will master franchise Houston TX Hot Chicken across the U.K. and Ireland, targeting 50 sites in three years with three openings in six months.
Jul 13, 2026
Wingstop posts 8.7% comp decline; leans on Club Wingstop loyalty, sports-heavy media, and smart kitchens to rebuild traffic. Investors eye July 29, 2026 results.
Jul 13, 2026
Explore the journey of Bar Louie, a restaurant franchise, facing bankruptcy, operational hurdles, and the impact of menu prices on consumer behavior.


Bar Louie's journey from 71 outlets in 2021 to 66 outlets by the end of 2023 reflects a challenging period for the franchise. With only 48 outlets listed on its website, the brand faced a decline in its presence. To boost growth, Bar Louie offered a $25,000 discount on franchising fees in 2023, emphasizing a push towards attracting new franchisees. Despite these efforts, the franchise's Chapter 11 filing marked its second bankruptcy in six years, highlighting the gravity of its financial challenges.
In January 2020, Bar Louie closed 38 unprofitable stores due to diminishing customer traffic, especially in locations within malls and shopping centers. The non-hotel franchised restaurants had been experiencing declining sales even before 2020. The impact of inflation further compounded the situation, leading to increased consumer price sensitivity. Bar Louie's struggles were exacerbated by menu price adjustments in response to inflation, affecting consumer behavior and overall profitability.
In a bid to revive its fortunes, Bar Louie implemented various strategies, including price changes, data-driven promotions, and cost-saving measures. Despite these efforts, the restaurant-level EBITDA continued to deteriorate, indicating ongoing challenges. The chain's attempts to restructure and market itself before filing for bankruptcy were unsuccessful, pointing to the complexities of the competitive restaurant industry and the evolving consumer landscape.
Facing mounting financial and operational pressures, Bar Louie encountered obstacles in its recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chain's inability to address underperforming locations and adapt to changing consumer demands underscored the need for strategic decision-making and agility in the restaurant business. As Bar Louie navigates through its restructuring process, its agreement with creditors to sustain operations in 31 corporate units signals a potential path forward amidst the challenges.