Pasta News
Buca di Beppo Italian chain closes only Austin location in bankruptcy
Spaghetti with marinara from Buca di Beppo.
No more spaghetti: Italian restaurant concept Buca di Beppo has closed its only location in Austin, at 3612 Tudor Rd. — part of a bankruptcy procedure the company initiated on August 4.
According to a release, the Orlando-based Italian chain voluntarily filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Their goal is to use the bankruptcy process to find a potential buyer, with a deadline of 75 days from the filing date to get a deal approved.
Austin was one of 13 locations that parent company Earl Enterprises closed — none of which had been able to recover from the pandemic.
There are now 44 locations still open, four of which are in Texas: three in DFW — Dallas, Frisco, and Southlake — and one in Houston. Those are not in peril, according to a spokesperson who said in an email that, "there is currently no definite plan to close further locations. The company will continue to evaluate the situation as they progress through the bankruptcy proceeding."
In a statement, president Rich Saultz called it "a strategic step towards a strong future for Buca di Beppo."
"While the restaurant industry has faced significant challenges, this move is the best next step for our brand," Saultz said. "Buca di Beppo has been a beloved gathering place for celebrations and memorable meals for many years, and we are enthusiastic about entering this next phase of our brand's story."
Buca di Beppo restaurants embody the Italian traditions of food, friendship, fun, celebration, and hospitality. The menu features both Northern and Southern Italian favorites and cocktails, but is equally famous for its quirky decor and raucous atmosphere — an over-the-top experience with enormous portions served family-style, Dean Martin singing in the background, and deliberately tacky decor featuring framed family photos, gaudy wallpaper, Xmas lights, and a "Pope Room" — a group dining room honoring the Pope.
William Snyder, Chief Restructuring Officer of Buca C, LLC, stated: "We believe this path will best allow us to continue to serve Buca's patrons and communities for many years to come. We are open for business in 44 locations, and we expect day-to-day operations to continue uninterrupted. We anticipate moving through this process as quickly and efficiently as possible to emerge as a stronger organization built for the future."
