The breakfast eating sector has confronted monetary challenges in 2026, main eating chains to shut areas or, in some instances, file for chapter safety.
Franchisees of iconic chain Denny’s, similar to DBJ US Corp. in Miami Seaside, Fla., have been among the many restaurant operators who’ve filed for chapter.
And smaller chains, similar to Sarabeth’s in New York Metropolis and Breakfast Republic in San Diego have closed a number of of their areas to chop prices to remain in enterprise.
Buttermilk Eatery recordsdata for chapter
And now the proprietor of breakfast and brunch eating chain Buttermilk Eatery has filed for Chapter 11 safety to reorganize its enterprise, going through a lawsuit.
Asani Restaurant Group LLC filed its petition within the U.S. Chapter Court docket for the Center District of Florida on Aug. 31, itemizing over $75,000 in belongings and over $407,000 in money owed.
The debtor didn’t give a selected motive for submitting for chapter in its petition. An organization spokesperson was not instantly obtainable for remark.
The restaurant chain, based in January 2023, serves breakfast, brunch, and lunch at its North St. Petersburg and Pinellas Park, Fla., areas, and has plans to open a 3rd location in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District in summer season 2026.
Buttermilk Eatery competes in opposition to the long-lasting Denny’s chain, which operates a location in St. Petersburg.
The debtor has not commented on whether or not it can proceed with plans to open the thirds location.
Buttermilk Eatery opened its first location on Roosevelt Blvd. North in St. Petersburg in 2023 and its second location on US Freeway 19N in Pinellas Park in early 2024. Each areas characteristic on-line ordering and robotic meals runners.
Chain plans location opening
The restaurant chain revealed in Could 2026 that it deliberate to take over the previous City Brew & BBQ location at 2601 Central Ave. in St. Petersburg, which closed in September 2025 after 12 years of working, St. Pete Rising reported.
The brand new restaurant would come with 1,400 sq. ft of indoor house and a 3,000 sq. foot lined patio eating space. Diners may order by conventional desk service or from their telephones by scanning a QR code at their desk.
Creditor recordsdata lawsuit
Asani Restaurant Group creditor MGM Funding Properties Inc. filed a lawsuit in opposition to the restaurant proprietor on Jan. 8, 2026, in search of cost for kitchen tools it allegedly supplied Asani in November 2022, UniCourt reported. All litigation is topic to an computerized keep whereas the chapter case proceeds.
The St. Petersburg, Fla.-based restaurant chain’s largest unsecured collectors embody Spartan Capital, owed over $178,000; Toast Capital LLC, owed over $145,000; LQ Business Property Administration, owed over $53,000; Bear Robotics, owed $30,000; and Chase Card Member Providers, owed over $29,000, in accordance with the Chapter 11 petition.
