CHAIN NEWS

Future of Texas chain Twin Peaks uncertain after bankruptcy filing

Twin Peaks has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Bad news for people who need booty shorts and tight shirts to enjoy their buffalo wings with. On Monday, January 26, Twin Hospitality Group, the parent company of the Twin Peaks chain, announced that they were filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The company, founded in Lewisville, Texas in 2005, quickly became a major competitor to Hooters, Bombshells, and other eateries centered on buxom waitstaff. Currently, there are 114 locations nationwide, including five in the Austin area.

The chain has not announced plans for widespread restaurant closures, but the filing comes only a year after the company went public on the stock exchange with a $1 billion estimated value. For now, doors will remain open and staff will be paid, but it's not a sign of strength for most companies to enter Chapter 11.

"Twin Peaks has redefined the sports bar experience and built an iconic and highly profitable business. We are confident that the brand remains positioned for meaningful global expansion in the years to come,” said Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of Twin Hospitality, in a release. “Our focus in this process remains providing quality service to our customers and supporting our franchise partners and the thousands of corporate and franchise employees.”

The news comes at a time of reckoning for "breastaurants.” Last year, the leading name in the industry, Hooters, announced a major brand shift away from its titillating model. Dubbed the “re-Hooterization," the chain plans to return to its original branding of a beach-themed hangout spot.

Multiple locations in Texas have already been bought out or closed in Grapevine, Houston, Lubbock, Bryan, and San Marcos. A spokesperson for Hooters told CultureMap that they are in the process of transferring all Texas liquor licenses from the former ownership.

"We look forward to the completion of the transfers, but it is a process that takes a little bit of time," they said.

Houston-based Bombshells, also underwent restructuring recently, closing two locations in its hometown in 2024. The chain still operates six Houston-area location.

bankruptcy breastaurants chains

reboot rejected

Family friendly Houston restaurant shutters after less than 6 months

Photo by Quy Tran

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A Houston restaurant group has abruptly pulled the plug on its Garden Oaks location. Jax on the Tracks has closed, owner Gr8 Plate Hospitality announced.

Opened in February, Jax on the Tracks evolved out of The Union Kitchen, Gr8 Plate’s globally-inspired, full service restaurant that had operated in the neighborhood for almost 10 years. At the time, owner Paul Miller thought Garden Oaks diners would appreciate a more family friendly, affordable concept that centered around classic American fare such as burgers, pizzas, and fajitas. Unfortunately, it didn’t catch on quickly enough.

Gr8 Plate provided CultureMap with the following statement:

After careful consideration, Jax on the Tracks on Ella Boulevard has made the difficult decision to close its doors. While the concept was recently introduced to the neighborhood, many challenges ultimately led to the decision to discontinue operations at this location.

We are incredibly grateful to our guests, team members, and the Garden Oaks community for the warm welcome and support. There are currently no plans for another concept in the space.

In a separate conversation, Miller tells CultureMap that the switch from The Union Kitchen to Jax on the Tracks was too abrupt. It created confusion with regulars who missed dishes they’d been ordering for years.

“The people who had never been to the Union Kitchen loved it. They had a great time,” Miller says. “The people who had been to the Union Kitchen and had an expectation for that kind of food — our hummus, steak night, different cuts of fish — were blasting us.”

With revenues flat or declining, Miller says he made the difficult decision to close rather than using revenues from his other locations to keep Jax on the Tracks open in hopes its fortunes improved. Thankfully, the company’s other restaurants — including The Union Kitchen locations in Kingwood, Memorial, and Cypress; Jax Grill locations on Shepherd Dr. and in Bellaire; and Italian restaurant Passerella in Cypress — all remain open.

“It’s a hell of a lot more fun opening restaurants than closing restaurants. I can tell you that for damn sure,” Miller says.