The restaurant industry has never been easy, but 2025 was particularly brutal. Rising food costs, staffing struggles, and lingering pandemic effects have forced beloved chains to close locations—or file for bankruptcy altogether. Some of your favorite spots are shrinking fast, while others may vanish completely next year. From casual Mexican fare to vegan hotspots and pizza joints, no concept is completely safe. If you’ve been meaning to revisit a favorite chain, now might be the last chance. Here’s a closer look at the restaurants that could be gone in 2026.
Bar Louie Battles Bankruptcy Again
Bar Louie, the Texas-based gastropub chain, has faced repeated financial woes. Once boasting over 130 locations, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and again in March 2025. By October, only 39 locations remained, with debts far outpacing assets. A new ownership group purchased the remaining spots in October 2025, leaving the chain’s fate uncertain. Will this revival succeed or mark the end?
Planta’s Vegan Appeal Struggles
Planta, a trendy vegan restaurant chain, tried to lure both vegans and curious omnivores. Despite an Instagram-worthy aesthetic, the chain couldn’t attract enough diners to stay profitable. Rising labor, food costs, and fees from third-party delivery apps added pressure. After filing Chapter 11 in May 2025, Planta now has only seven locations left, mostly in major urban centers. Time will tell if the new ownership can turn things around.
Joe’s Crab Shack Shrinks Rapidly
Seafood chains face unique challenges with high ingredient costs and customer expectations. Joe’s Crab Shack once had over 150 locations, but closures left just 15 by late 2025. While millennials see seafood as affordable and healthy, Joe’s hasn’t fully captured this market. Without a turnaround, 2026 could be its final year on the map.
Iron Hill Brewery Shuts Doors Abruptly
Iron Hill Brewery surprised employees and fans when all 16 locations closed in September 2025. Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the chain began liquidating assets immediately. Some locations were purchased by restaurateur Jeff Crivello, with plans to convert a few into other concepts. Whether Iron Hill will survive in 2026 under new ownership remains uncertain.
On the Border’s Mexican Fare Fights Back
On the Border, once with 160 locations, has struggled to maintain customer loyalty. Rising costs for leases, labor, and food led to Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025. After closing dozens of locations, 57 remain across the U.S. The chain still has a chance to find pockets of loyal diners—but recovery may be difficult.
Pie Five’s Pizza Predicament
Pie Five, a customizable fast-casual pizza chain, has lost more than 80% of its locations since 2017. Sales fell to $11 million in 2025, down from the prior year. Staffing and order accuracy issues have hurt customer confidence. RAVE Restaurant Group expects the decline to continue, putting the chain’s future in question.
Bertucci’s Battles the Odds
The Northeast Italian chain Bertucci’s, famous for brick oven pizza and fresh pasta, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2025—its third since 2018. Continued inflation and high food costs hurt profitability. The chain now operates just nine locations, down from 15. A new fast-casual model called “Bertucci’s Pronto” may be the brand’s last hope.
Boston Market: Legal Woes and Closures
Once a fast-casual rotisserie favorite, Boston Market has dwindled to roughly 16 locations. Lawsuits for unpaid bills have plagued the chain since 2020, including a $15 million judgment to US Foods. Despite previous bankruptcy filings, legal and financial troubles continue. For fans, this may be the last chance to grab rotisserie chicken in a sit-down location.
Abuelo’s Mexican Cuisine at Risk
Texas-based Abuelo’s, known for upscale Mexican dishes, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2025. From 40 locations in recent years, the chain dropped to 13 by November. Sales fell more than 15% last year, signaling a challenging road ahead. The chain’s ability to rebound seems uncertain, even with financial restructuring.
Smokey Bones Faces Major Closures
Smokey Bones, a casual BBQ and bar chain, announced 15 location closures in 2025. Rising meat and ingredient costs have pressured profitability. Nineteen locations will convert into Twin Peaks restaurants, a more successful brand under the same parent company. The remaining 26 locations may survive, but the chain’s long-term outlook is precarious.
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza Nears Extinction
The Rock Wood Fired Pizza, based in Washington State, will close six of its seven locations in 2025. Celebrated for from-scratch, fresh pizzas, the chain leaves just one Auburn, WA location. Local fans mourned online, noting memories tied to family dinners and first dates. Whether it survives in 2026 is still unknown.
Visit Before They Vanish
2025 showed just how fragile the restaurant industry can be. Chains from Bar Louie to The Rock Wood Fired Pizza are facing closures, bankruptcy, or major transformations. If you’ve got favorites on this list, now may be the time to visit. Which of these restaurants do you hope sticks around, and which have you already said goodbye to? Share your thoughts and last bites in the comments.
