Popular BBQ Chain Just Filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Over the past few years, the food and beverage industry has been hit hard. First, the pandemic quickly put most restaurants in debt due to forced closures and reduced demand. That was followed by inflationary pressures and tariff increases, resulting in higher food costs and less disposable income for patrons dining out. 2025 has been particularly brutal for many chains, which have been forced to file for bankruptcy, and some have even shuttered all locations for good. This week, a popular BBQ chain became the most recent casualty, closing several locations and filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Columbus, Ohio-based Ray Ray’s Hog Pit closed several locations and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Ohio Southern Bankruptcy Court, according to a new report from Nation’s Restaurant News. In its December 19 Chapter 11...