What Happened to Mike Isabella’s Restaurant Empire? | Eater

"Once a rapidly expanding restaurant group that took on dozens of high-profile projects backed largely by developers and landlords, the company grew so fast that staff felt chronically overworked and corporate structure lagged behind operations; an HR department was only added after the staff count approached 800. Rapid openings, alleged mishandling of the founder’s alcohol problems, and a settled sexual-harassment lawsuit contributed to mounting legal and reputational damage, culminating in bankruptcy filings and the winding down of many venues. Employee headcount fell (from roughly 800 to about 400), dozens of restaurants closed or were slated to close, and while some investors reportedly remained interested, the business suffered severe financial and public-relations setbacks tied to accusations of a hostile workplace and persistent negative press." - Monica Burton