A popular Italian-American chain abruptly closed a location last week, shortly before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Olive Garden’s competitor, Buca di Beppo, also had to close in five other states.
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Founded in 1993 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Buca di Beppo serves family-style Italian dishes at its 44 locations.
In early August, the chain closed a restaurant at 15350 South 94th Avenue in Orland Park, Illinois – 20 miles from Chicago.
About a dozen other Buca di Beppo locations were closed around the same time.
The states with the most recent locations to close include Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, Utah and Michigan.
FINANCIAL PROBLEMS
The closures occurred shortly before the company announced its filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 5.
The Italian-American chain attributed its financial difficulties to factors such as rising costs and difficulties in hiring employees, according to court documents.
Open Buca di Beppo locations
The following US locations are listed as open to customers:
Arizona:
- Albuquerque – 6520 Americas Pkwy NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87110
- Arrowhead Fountains Center – 16091 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center Drive, Peoria, Arizona, 85382
- Mesa – 1730 S. Val Vista Drive, Mesa, Arizona, 85204
- Scottsdale – 3828 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona, 85251
California:
- Anaheim – 11757 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, California, 92840
- Brea-1609 E Imperial Hwy, Brea, CA, 92821
- Campbell – 1875 S. Bascom Ave., Campbell, California, 95008
- Carlsbad-1921 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
- Claremont-505 W Foothill Blvd, Claremont, CA, 91711
- Encino – 17500 Ventura Blvd., Encino, California, 91316
- Huntington Beach-7979 Center Ave, Huntington Beach, CA, 92647
- Mira Mesa-10749 Westview Pkwy, San Diego, CA, 92126
- Palo Alto – 643 Emerson St., Palo Alto, California, 94301
- Pasadena – 80 W. Green St., Pasadena, CA, 91105
- Redondo Beach-1670 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA, 90277
- Roseville – 1212 Galleria Blvd., Roseville, California, 95678
- Thousand Oaks – 205 N Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360
- Universal Citywalk – 1000 Universal Studios Blvd., Universal City, California, 91608
- Valencia – 26940 Theater Drive, Santa Clarita, California, 91355
Florida:
- Celebration – Kissimmee-6282 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Celebration, Florida, 34747
- Davie – 3355 S University Dr, Davie, FL, 33328
- The Florida Mall – Orlando-8001 S. Orange Blossom Trail, Space 1304, Orlando, Florida, 32809
Illinois:
- Lombard – 90 Yorktown Road, Lombard, Illinois, 60148
Indiana:
- Downtown Indianapolis – 35 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
- Greenwood – 659 US 31 N., Greenwood, Indiana, 46142
Kentucky:
- Louisville – 2051 S Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, Kentucky, 40220
Minnesota:
- Eden Prairie – 7711 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, 55344
- Maple Grove – 12650 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, Minnesota, 55369
- Minneapolis – 1204 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
- St. Paul – 2728 Gannon Road, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55116
Missouri:
- Kansas City Plaza 310 W 47th St, Kansas City, Missouri, 64112
Nevada:
- Excalibur Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas – 3850 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas 89109
- Las Vegas – Paradise – 412 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas 89169
- Las Vegas – Summerlin – 7690 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas 89128
New Mexico:
- Albuquerque – 6520 Americas Parkway NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87110
Ohio:
- Worthington – 60 E Wilson Bridge Rd, Worthington, Ohio, 43085
- Columbus – 343 N Front St, Columbus, Ohio, 43215
- Strongsville – 16677 Southpark Center, Strongsville, Ohio, 44136
- Cincinnati – 2635 Edmondson Road, Norwood, Ohio, 45209
Tennessee:
- Coolsprings Crossing – 1722 Galleria Blvd, Franklin, Tennessee, 37067
Texas:
- Dallas – Southlake – 2701 E. State Highway 114, Southlake, Texas, 76092
- Dallas – Park Lane – 7843 Park Lane, Dallas, Texas, 75225
- Dallas – Frisco – 8580 State Highway 121, Frisco, Texas, 75034
- The Woodlands – Portofino Shopping Center – 19075 I-45 S., Shenandoah, Texas, 77385
Washington:
- Seattle – 701 Westlake Ave N, Seattle, Washington, 98109
Source: Buca di Beppo
According to USA Today, Buca di Beppo owes around $50 million to 30 creditors.
The chain’s financial decline began around the pandemic, when guest numbers and revenue declined, and it has never fully recovered.
The restaurant’s revenue for the first five months of 2024 fell 10% to $74.8 million compared to the same period last year.
According to Restaurant Business Magazine, Buca di Beppo has been gradually closing locations due to COVID-19, closing about 20% of its stores in the last month.
Buca di Beppo locations that have closed so far this year include:
- 7111 West Ray Road in Chandler, Arizona
- 1249 Howe Ave. in Sacramento, California
- 615 Flatiron Marketplace Drive in Broomfield, Colorado
- 1351 South Orlando Avenue in Maitland, Florida
- 1030 Auahi Street in Honolulu, Hawaii
- 6045 East 86th Street in Indianapolis, Indiana
- 112 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, Maryland
- 38888 Six Mile Road in Livonia, Michigan
- 12575 Hall Road in Utica, Michigan
- 1900 Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey
- 44 Wolf Road in Colonie, New York
- 10915 Carolina Place Parkway in Pineville, North Carolina
- 60 East Wilson Bridge in Worthington, Ohio
- 3 East Station Square Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 6600 Robinson Center Drive in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 2745 Paper Mill Road in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania
- 202 West 200 South in Salt Lake City, Utah
- 935 East Fort Union Blvd in Midvale, Utah
Following the closures, Buca di Beppo plans to restructure 44 restaurants and open a new location, according to a press release.
“Although the restaurant industry has faced significant challenges, this move is the best next step for our brand,” said company president Rich Saultz.
“By restructuring with the continued support of our lenders, we are paving the way to a stronger future. Buca di Beppo has been a popular gathering place for celebrations and unforgettable meals for many years and we look forward to entering this next phase of our brand’s story.”
Restaurants like Buca di Beppo are struggling to survive as inflation makes consumers more cautious about spending on unnecessary goods.
In addition, the chains are struggling with rising food and labor costs, which are increasing their financial pressure.
Many restaurant chains have closed locations.
A competitor of Chuy’s confirmed its last day of business before closing permanently after 52 years.
In addition, Subway closed dozens of branches without warning because even the employees were completely taken by surprise and left without pay.
