It’s not easy to return to business after filing for bankruptcy, getting sued by your own employees, and disappearing for five months.
However, this restaurant chain defied all odds and refused to let any major setbacks hinder its resurrection.
💰💸 Don’t miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet’s FREE Daily newsletter 💰💸
The company seemed destined for success, with multiple store locations in major cities across the U.S., including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Austin, and Dallas.
This restaurant chain had a grab-and-go section, freshly baked goods, and a coffee bar, quickly making it a beloved neighborhood go-to for those living the fast-paced urban life.
Yet, all good things come to an end.
A shopper looks at food items at Foxtrot, 1576 N. Milwaukee Ave., Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Chicago. The upscale convenience store is planning to open 50 new stores in the next two years.
Chicago Tribune/Getty Images
A merger gone wrong leads to controversial backlash
Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market joined forces in late 2023 to form Outfox Hospitality. This company aimed to combine classic convenience stores with café foods to expand its footprint across major U.S. cities.
Unfortunately, the merger only lasted five short months before the newly formed company was forced to shut down all its locations and file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Related: New owners of formerly bankrupt restaurant chain reopen locations
This filing left approximately 100 corporate employees and 1,000 service employees jobless without prior warning, as Outfox failed to inform its workforce of the closures beforehand.
In return, Outfox’s former employees filed a class-action lawsuit against the company for violating the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), which requires companies to give employees 60 days’ notice before any planned closures or mass layoffs.
Foxtrot reopens its third location, and people have mixed feelings
Foxtrot opened its third location on Thursday in Wicker Park in Chicago, and the new owners are doing everything they can to drive business and get back into its customers’ good graces.
To celebrate its third store reopening, Foxtrot will offer free coffee to everyone who attends the grand opening from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at their new location.
For those who couldn’t stop by the reopened location on the morning of the opening, the restaurant chain will also host happy hours on Friday and Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Although Foxtrot’s new owners want customers to be excited about this great achievement, some refuse to forgive its former owners’ wrongdoings.
Foxtrot posted about the third reopening of its locations on the company’s Instagram page, and once again, the comment section was bombarded with mixed opinions.
One user on the social media platform commented: “If you can’t address the past, you’re pretty likely to repeat it. I hope less people are harmed in the future.”
Another user commented: “Boycott. Have you paid all prior employees and vendors? Have you issued apologies directly to each one of them? No thanks. We will continue to boycott. You can close again.”
However, not all comments were negative, with many loyal customers asking Foxtrot to reopen its Dallas locations next.
One user on the social media platform commented: “That’s great, but what about Dallas?”
Another loyal customer commented: “Dallas is begging.”
Foxtrot launches its delivery and order-ahead services to improve efficiency
Foxtrot now has two fully reopened restaurant locations, but for its third milestone, the company also wanted to deliver its customers new and improved services to make their experience with the brand even better than before.
Foxtrot started as an online-only delivery service and is now returning to its humble beginnings by relaunching its delivery service in all its newly reopened locations.
Customers can now get their favorite Foxtrot items delivered straight to their doorsteps without stepping outside for a flat fee of $5 per order.
More Foxtrot:
New owners of formerly bankrupt restaurant chain reopen locationsPopular bankrupt restaurant chain reopens first storePopular bankrupt retailer is reopening after abruptly closing stores
Additionally, Foxtrot will offer order-ahead services so customers who may find themselves in the morning rush won’t have to wait in line. Instead, they can step into their closest location and quickly pick up their items.
Related: Veteran fund manager sees world of pain coming for stocks
