School's out

Beloved Houston burger bus hits the end of the road

Justin Turner has come to end of the road with Bernie's Burger Bus.

Photo by Kimberly Park

Bernie's Burger Bus has reached the end of the road. The food truck-turned-restaurant announced it would permanently close all four locations effective May 31.

View this post on Instagram

We’ve had the pleasure of serving Houston the best burgers for almost ten years and have the laughs and the memories to show for it... but this pandemic is ruthless and Bernie’s Burger Bus is shutting it’s doors indefinitely. ⁣ ⁣ Though the future is uncertain, know we’re grateful for each and every one of you and excited for what’s to come. Come join us for a tasty cheeseburger, fries and milkshake between now and our final service on Sunday, May 31.⁣ ⁣ Y’all freakin’ rock. ⁣ Justin Turner

A post shared by Bernie's Burger Bus (@berniesburgerbus) on

May 28, 2020 at 7:30am PDT

In a statement, chef-owner Justin Turner cites a number of factors that prompted the decision, including the high cost of delivery fees and the rising price of beef, all of which have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Ultimately, the decision to use working capital to build Bernie's Missouri City location proved fatal, according to Turner.

“If we’d taken out a loan and kept that money in the bank, we could have survived,” Turner said in a statement. "Working capital can and does make the difference between who will survive times like this and who won’t — Bernie’s Burger Bus is proof of that.”

The closing is undoubtedly a loss for Houston burger fans. Beginning as a food truck in 2010, Bernie's earned raves for Turner's housemade condiments, creative fries, and decadent milkshakes. The "Detention Burger" — a two beef patties between two grilled cheese sandwiches — gave the restaurant a visually stunning sandwich perfectly suited for the Instagram age. Bernie's ranked 64th on CultureMap's list of Houston's top 100 restaurants for 2019.

With three of the locations — Heights, Katy, and Missouri City — already closed during the coronavirus pandemic, Bernie's will bid its customers farewell from its original, flagship location in the Bellaire triangle. Turner invites customers to join him for one last round of "Principal" burgers and "Honor Roll" fries.

Turner vows this won't be the last Houstonians hear from him. Back in March, he told CultureMap's "What's Eric Eating" podcast that he had new ideas about his future. Recently married, Turner plans to take some time off before contemplating his next move.

"I have nothing but high praise for Houston,” Turner added. “You made my dream come true and over the past nine-and-a-half years, you’ve helped support the lives of hundreds of Bernie’s Burger Bus team members. Please continue to follow me on my journey. I’m fortunate to have options, and no matter where I go, my remaining staff will be by my side.”

closings burgers

Breastaurant news

Texas restaurant Twin Peaks rises out of bankruptcy with new owners

Twin Peaks Houston Facebook

Twin Peaks is climbing its way back.

Six months after filing for bankruptcy, the Addison-based Twin Peaks restaurant chain is getting a second chance at success.

In a Monday, June 15 press release, Twin Peaks said it has separated from its parent company, FAT Brands, and now operates as a standalone private company called Summit Twin Hospitality I LLC.

Summit Acquisitions LLC, a group of the brand’s bondholders — high-priority bankruptcy creditors including Twin Peaks franchisees 3BMgmnt Inc., JEB Food Group, and Operadora 2 Montes — has assumed management of the brand and is poised to eventually buy the chain.

“This transition gives our team the foundation we’ve needed to execute on the vision we’ve always had for this brand,” says Roger Gondek, president and chief operating officer of Twin Peaks, in the release. “We have a strong system, exceptional operators, and enviable guest loyalty, and now we have the financial footing to match. The best days for Twin Peaks are ahead.”

In May, a business known as TWNPKS Bid Co. — backed by bondholders — acquired Twin Peaks in a $359 million debt-to-equity deal approved by a bankruptcy judge in Houston.

Five years ago, FAT Brands bought Twin Peaks from New York City investment firm Garnett Station Partners for $300 million. Last year, Twin Peaks became a publicly traded company after its spinoff from FAT Brands, which remains the chain’s biggest stockholder.

Twin Peaks enters its new era with more than 115 restaurants in the U.S. and Mexico, including five restaurants in Houston and a total of 31 statewide. More restaurants are on the way, including franchised locations in Brownsville, Laredo, and South Padre Island.

Twin Peaks, founded in Lewisville in 2005, competes with Bombshells, Hooters, Twisted Kilt, and other “breastaurant” chains.

According to the press release, Twin Peaks’ executive team remains intact, and no layoffs are planned. In fact, the company plans to add employees as its store count grows.

In conjunction with FAT Brands’ bankruptcy case, a business called FBG Bid Co. said Tuesday, June 16 that it purchased 13 restaurant brands owned by FAT Brands for about $595 million. The acquisition includes chains like Fatburger, Fazoli’s, Great American Cookies, Johnny Rockets, Marble Slab Creamery, and Ponderosa and Bonanza steakhouses, but excludes Twin Peaks.

FAT Brands and Twin Peaks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January with plans to reorganize the businesses. At the time of the bankruptcy filing, FAT Brands owed about $1.4 billion in debt that it was unable to cover.

breastaurants bankruptcy twin peaks