Author:
Mike Barnicle wannabe
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Date Posted: 15:47:05 06/29/07 Fri
In reply to:
Stuart Pead
's message, "What happened to Hooter's restaurant?" on 20:49:48 06/28/07 Thu
(published in, Nashua Telegraph, 6-26-07)
NASHUA -- It must have been a shock to Hooters Girls who showed up for work. On Monday, a paper sign taped to the door said "CLOSED," directing employees or vendors with questions to call a Boston attorney.
As it turns out, the Nashua eatery was one of eight Hooters locations forced to close after a Boston judge forced the Massachusetts-based R.J. Fritz, L.P. franchise into Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week, according to court records.
The company ran all three Hooters in New Hampshire -- Nashua, Manchester and Salem -- under a franchise agreement with Hooters of America, Inc. It also operated restaurants in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
In October, R.J. Fritz voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, which allows a company to reorganize itself and continue operating. Chapter 7 forces a company to sell its assets.
Last Tuesday, United States Trustee Assistant John Fitzgerald filed a motion to convert the case to Chapter 7, arguing R.J. Fritz was not likely to rehabilitate and pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding debt. A judge approved the motion on Wednesday.
The company owed more than $100,000 to food vendor Agar Supply Co., and nearly $200,000 to Hooters of America, among other debts. It also owned lease payments, attorney fees and energy bills.
It's unclear what led to the franchise's demise, or whether employees were notified of the closing in advance.
A call to the attorney named on the door, John Aquino of Boston, was not returned. Neither was a call to the attorney that represented R.J. Fritz in the initial bankruptcy filing, Melvin S. Hoffman, also of Boston.
A press contract for Hooters of America did not respond to an e-mail.
There is no phone number listed on the Web site.
The nationally known rib, wing and burger restaurant, where waitresses dress in short shorts and tight-fitting tops, had only been open in Nashua since 2002. The Manchester location opened in 2001.
To see more of The Telegraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nashuatelegraph.com
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Eight Hooters locations, including Nashua, forced to close via bankruptcy