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Ron Ruggless
Sam Seltzer’s Steakhouses closed its remaining six Florida units Monday, nearly two years after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The casual-dining chain, which was known for its prime rib, was forced to cease operating because of "increased economic pressure, an unstable restaurant environment and the inability to source reasonable funding," John Mountford, president and chief executive, said in a statement Monday.
Sam Seltzer’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2008, and soon after closed three of its nine restaurants. Units had remained open in the Florida cities of Clearwater, Fort Myers, Port Richey, St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Tampa, where the company was based.
At the time of its bankruptcy filing, Sam Seltzer's cited the weak economy, rising fuel costs and debt associated with aggressive expansion plans to grow to 30 units.
“I want to thank all the dedicated employees that have worked diligently to restabilize a brand that has seen extreme pressure," Mountford said in his statement. "I’d like to pay special thanks to all of our loyal guests that have supported us over the years.”
Phones at the corporate office were not being answered on Monday.
Sam Seltzer's was founded in Tampa in 1995.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].
