---
title: "More franchisees are filing for bankruptcy"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/1cb535bd-5a84-41fa-aeb2-a4ae9c4c1140
source: "Restaurant Business"
original_url: https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/more-franchisees-are-filing-bankruptcy
author: "Jonathan Maze, Lisa Jennings, Joe Guszkowski"
category: "Family dining"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Family dining"
topics: ["Finance & M&A","Regulation & legal"]
published: 2026-11-06T16:15:51.000Z
modified: 2026-11-07T00:03:28.761Z
image: https://cdn.informaconnect.com/platform/files/public/2026-11/background/TWIR%20image%20%2011-6-26.png?VersionId=xWeJpn5rqBCKfqQwRY9egUeyGnLIfSa7
---

# More franchisees are filing for bankruptcy

**TL;DR:** Franchisees continue to file for bankruptcy, with a 30-unit Denny's operator filing Chapter 11 this week, citing $10-50 million in liabilities.

*By Jonathan Maze, Lisa Jennings, Joe Guszkowski, originally published in Restaurant Business on 2026-11-06. [Read the original](https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/more-franchisees-are-filing-bankruptcy).*

## Story

This week’s episode of the Restaurant Business podcast The Week in Restaurants looks at the bankruptcy of a major Denny’s franchisee and other such bankruptcies, and why more operators keep seeking debt protection.

Portillo’s is closing locations outside of Chicago, so we discuss that topic and why companies should be careful expanding too far afield from their home market.

We’re talking about Wendy’s again because why not. Specifically, we talk about the chain’s rejection of a buyout offer from Nelson Peltz.

And on Tech Check, Joe Guszkowski talks about delivery. Again.

*Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.*

---
Originally reported by Jonathan Maze, Lisa Jennings, Joe Guszkowski, Restaurant Business (https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/financing/more-franchisees-are-filing-bankruptcy). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/1cb535bd-5a84-41fa-aeb2-a4ae9c4c1140).