EDMOND Okla. Privately held Eateries Inc., parent to the Garfield’s Restaurant & Pub chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this month.
Eateries reported estimated liabilities that totaled between $10 million and $50 million and estimated assets that totaled between $1 million and $10 million. The bankruptcy documents were filed May 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Western Oklahoma.
The company was founded in 1984 when Vincent F. Orza Jr. opened his first Garfield’s in Oklahoma City. The company went public in 1986 and started franchising in 1987. Through acquisitions, the company grew to 72 restaurants in 26 states including 48 Garfield’s, 13 Garcia’s Mexican, two Pepperoni Grills and nine Garfield’s Cafés. Some of the Garfield’s restaurants are franchised. Orza sold his interest in Eateries in 2006.
The company went private in 2003. It reportedly tallied sales of $74.4 million for 2007, the latest available data, and employs nearly 3,000 people.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
