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88-Year-Old Restaurant Chain Vanishes Overnight
14 Dec
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.
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.
Further distress is evident with a franchisee of Dickey's Barbecue Pit filing for Chapter 7 liquidation in California. This franchisee reported substantial liabilities against minimal assets, signaling the severity of the economic pressures affecting even established brands and their operators. The closures highlight a challenging period for many restaurant businesses.
