LA Steakhouse Chain Sizzler Declares Bankruptcy Because of Coronavirus | Eater LA

"I learned that Sizzler, one of Los Angeles’s most storied restaurant franchises, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, a move the company says is “a direct result of the financial impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the casual dining sector.” Based in Orange County, it currently operates 107 locations; the company owns 14 corporate restaurants (the bankruptcy filing applies specifically to those) while the other 93 are franchises. Sales had been declining before the pandemic, and with malls and other gathering areas closed, customers shifting to delivery, local restaurants, and cooking at home, and ongoing issues with landlords and high overhead costs, the chain has struggled to cover costs; it says it will seek to renegotiate leases, expects to reach agreements with a majority of landlords, and is confident most restaurants will remain open, though it remains unclear how many locations will return. Founded more than 60 years ago in Culver City by Del and Helen Johnson, Sizzler built its reputation on inexpensive steaks and a family-friendly buffet format." - Farley Elliott