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Florida-based Wendy’s franchisee files for Chap. 11 bankruptcyFlorida-based Wendy’s franchisee files for Chap. 11 bankruptcy

Starboard Group filings follow those among quick-service operators that include Burger King, Hardee’s, McDonald’s, and Popeye’s

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

November 15, 2023

1 Min Read
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Several divisions of Wendy’s franchisee Starboard Group, a Coral Springs, Fla.-based company, on Tuesday filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, involving about 70 locations of the burger brand, according to court filings.

The franchisee of the Dublin, Ohio-based brand filed the cases Tuesday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of Middle Florida in Orlando.

Quick-service restaurant franchisees have been buffeted by bankruptcy protection filings in 2023, including three Burger King franchise groups, the most recent Premier Kings, as well as Summit Restaurant Holdings LLC (a Hardee’s operator), Rice Enterprises (a McDonald’s operator in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area), and Premier Cajun Kings (a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee).

Starboard Group has Wendy’s locations in Alabama, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin. The company also operates other concepts, not involved in the bankruptcy filings, that include 22 CiCi’s Pizza restaurants, 15 Subway units, six McAlister’s Delis and five Fuzzy’s Taco Shops, according to its website.

The Wendy’s cases include Starboard divisions that include SBG Burger Opco LLC, Starboard Group of Alabama LLC, Starboard Group of Southeast Florida LLC, Starboard Group of Spacecoast, Starboard Group of Tampa LLC, and Starboard Group of Tampa II LLC.

Related:Wendy’s recovers traffic in latter Q3 amid economy impacts

The Starboard Group was founded in 1999.

Wendy's, founded in 1969, has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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