FL-Based Tijuana Flats Files For Bankruptcy, Closes 11 Locations

FLORIDA — Tijuana Flats, the fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant chain based out of Central Florida, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed 11 stores, according to an April 19 news release from the company.

The brand was bought by a new ownership group, Flatheads, LLC. The chain was previously owned by TJF USA, LLC.

“Our company is excited by the new ownership group’s plan to reinvest, focus and emphasize the things that originally brought so many people to love Tijuana Flats,” Joe Christina, CEO, said in a statement. “We understand the immediate financial actions taken by them to ensure the long-term health of this great and iconic brand.”

Christina, who joined the company in November 2022, will remain as CEO.

The bankruptcy and closure of 11 locations resulted from a strategic review that started in November, the news release said.

The company closed one location in Virginia Beach, while the other 10 closures were in Florida, in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Boynton Beach, a Tijuana Flats spokesperson told USA Today.

The restaurants closed were chosen after “a unit-by-unit analysis of financial performance, occupancy costs and market conditions,” the company said.

Other changes include a new menu, which rolled out April 1, and new take-out and delivery packaging.

Remaining locations will also be renovated and get “a refresh,” the brand said.

Founded in Winter Park in 1995, there are 65 company-owned locations throughout Florida and 26 franchised restaurants in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.