Why did K&W Cafeterias close all its locations?

K&W Cafeterias closed all nine of its locations permanently on December 1, 2025, citing a general closure of its business operations.

Which other restaurant chains filed for bankruptcy in 2025?

In 2025, Bravo Brio Restaurants LLC and Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to financial difficulties.

What challenges are affecting restaurant chains like K&W Cafeterias?

Rising costs, labor issues, and declining sales are significantly impacting restaurant chains, leading to closures and bankruptcies.

Home / Business and Economy / 88-Year-Old Restaurant Chain Vanishes Overnight

88-Year-Old Restaurant Chain Vanishes Overnight

14 Dec, 2025

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Summary

K&W Cafeterias, founded in 1937, closed all nine locations on December 1, 2025.
The chain once operated as many as 35 locations before beginning to downsize in 2020.
Other chains like Bravo Brio and Abuelo's also filed for bankruptcy protection in 2025.

88-Year-Old Restaurant Chain Vanishes Overnight

K&W Cafeterias, a venerable casual dining chain with an 88-year history, abruptly ceased all operations on December 1, 2025. The company, founded in 1937, had once expanded to 35 locations but began a decline after 2020. Its remaining nine restaurants across North Carolina and Virginia closed without formal bankruptcy proceedings, leaving customers with a permanent closure notice.

The restaurant industry continues to face significant challenges in 2025. Several other well-known chains have sought bankruptcy protection to manage debt and operational issues. Bravo Brio Restaurants LLC, parent of Bravo Italian Kitchen and Brio Italian Grille, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in five years. Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant also filed for Chapter 11, citing increased costs and reduced sales.