Favorite casual restaurant chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Breakfast restaurant chains are facing many of the same economic difficulties that the greater casual restaurant sector has faced since the Covid pandemic, including rising labor and product costs driven by inflation, supply chain instability, and consumers' changing attitudes toward eating out. ...
Breakfast restaurant chains are facing many of the same economic difficulties that the greater casual restaurant sector has faced since the Covid pandemic, including rising labor and product costs driven by inflation, supply chain instability, and consumers' changing attitudes toward eating out.
The classic 24-hour diner industry, which includes major chains like Denny's and Waffle House, has battled economic issues from 2020-2025. These have led to a 0.4% decline in the number of businesses in the sector to about 8,721 and a 2% decrease in the number of employees to about 174,000, according to data from IBISWorld.
Despite a decline in the number of businesses, the industry reported a 7.5% increase in revenue to about $15.6 billion, with profits rising by 9.8% or $934.8 millon.
Denny's closes restaurants
Denny's corporation significantly contributed to the decline in diner businesses over the last two years, as it closed 88 locations in 2024 and was set to close 70-90 restaurants in 2025, Restaurant Dive reported last year.
I've begun to see breakfast-oriented restaurants, which have shorter hours, also facing economic hardship that is forcing some of them to file for bankruptcy protection. Shutterstock
Taste of Belgium files for bankruptcy protection
Breakfast dining chain Taste of Belgium filed for Chapter 11 protection to reorganize its business and continue operating, facing foreclosure proceedings on two of its locations.
The restaurant chain at one time operated 11 locations in Ohio and Kentucky, but has closed eight of its restaurants over the last two years, according to the Journal-News.
The dining chain currently has three locations: Taste of Belgium - Rookwood at 3825 Edwards Road, Taste of Belgium - The Banks at 16 West Freedom Way, and Taste of Belgium - Findlay Market, 1801 Race Street, all in Cincinnati.
Taste of Belgium open locations:
- Taste of Belgium - Rookwood at 3825 Edwards Road, Cincinnati
- Taste of Belgium - The Banks at 16 West Freedom Way, Cincinnati
- Taste of Belgium - Findlay Market, 1801 Race Street, Cincinnati
"We're open," Taste of Belgium said in an Instagram post. "Taste of Belgium has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection so we can keep moving forward.
"From a guest standpoint, nothing changes. We're serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch," the post said.
Restaurant founded in back of a produce market
Taste of Belgium was founded in 2007 by Jean-Francois Flechet, as he cooked his waffles in the back of a produce market at Cincinnati's Findlay Market, according to the chain's website.
The chain expanded over the years before it began closing locations in 2024 and 2025, the Journal-News reported.
The bankruptcy filing is "a proactive step to stabilize the business and ensure long-term sustainability," Flechet said in a statement.
Dining chain strives to stay in business
"This is not about closing restaurants. It is about keeping them open," Flechet said. "Filing for Chapter 11 gives us the protection we need to adapt, stay in business and continue serving our guests. From a customer standpoint, nothing changes. Our doors are open, and our team is here.”
The debtor blamed changes in consumer dining habits following the Covid pandemic, rising costs driven by inflation, a decline in downtown foot traffic, and high commissions charged by third-party delivery services as reasons for filing for bankruptcy, WKRC-TV reported.
Taste of Belgium's menu features a variety of waffles and crepes, including S'more, Banana & Nutella, and Strawberries & Cream. It also offers classic breakfast plates with eggs, sausage, and bacon, waffle and chicken dishes, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and bowls.
The restaurant also offers an extensive menu of beer and cocktails.
Taste of Belgium's closed locations:
- Crestview Hills, Ky., closed September 2024
- 12071 Mason Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, closed September 2024
- Clifton Heights, Ohio, closed May 2024
- Liberty Township, Ohio, closed May 2024
- 7800 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, closed May 2024
- 10267 Penny Lane, Miamisburg, Ohio, closed December 2024
- 10 Greene Blvd., Beavercreek, Ohio, closed January 2025
- Over-the Rhine Location, 1135 Vine St., Cincinnati, closed September 2025
The Cincinnati-based chain, which listed $100,000 to $500,000 in assets and up to $10 million in liabilities in its petitions, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Jan. 6 on behalf of its Taste of Belgium at the Banks and Taste of Belgium Rookwood locations.
More bankruptcies:
- 64-year-old furniture store franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Golf legend’s iconic brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Major health services provider files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The debtor will likely file for joint administration of the two petitions and merge them into one case.
Taste of Belgium's debtors owe $5.62 million in secured claims and over $428,000 in priority tax obligations.
Related: Troubled coffee shop chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, seeks sale
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