Hurricane hiccups threaten Tijuana Flats’ recovery
Tijuana Flats Restaurants LLC has asked the judge presiding over its bankruptcy case for permission to suspend rent payments for November.
The restaurant chain pointed to hurricanes Helene and Milton as the reason for its latest financial distress.
Judge Jason Burgess, of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, on Nov. 4 granted Tijuana Flats permission to pay some rents late — but denied its request for about two dozen locations that were not directly impacted by the hurricanes. Tijuana Flats locations in Orlando; Miami; Oldsmar; Tampa; Brandon; St. Petersburg; Sarasota; Jacksonville; Eustis; Palm Harbor; Riviera Beach; Richardson, Texas; Dunwoody, Georgia; Alpharetta, Georgia; and Atlanta won't be able to pay rent late.
Landlords owning property leased by Tijuana Flats in Tampa, Sarasota, Jacksonville and Eustis had previously objected to the restaurant chain’s request for late payment, filings show.
