Local Bennigan’s among restaurants closing

During the hot afternoon, you would normally see the parking lot of the Bennigan’s at 12008 I-10 full of lunchtime patrons. However, that was not the case July 30 as the restaurant closed on Tuesday. A subsidiary of the Plano-based Metromedia Restaurant Group filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy Tuesday, resulting in the closing of 150 of the popular restaurants.

 

"It’s a shame when the eastside loses one of its restaurants," said Mary Ann Dickerson, who frequented the place on a weekly basis. "I am disappointed. They had the best burgers. I had $150 in coupons from them. Now I don’t know what to do."

Leah Templeton, a company spokesperson, said S&A Restaurants had filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Companies use this method to liquidate all assets and completely shut down.

S&A Restaurants also own Steak & Ale and Tavern.

"It’s sad for the people who lost their jobs," said Allika Jackson, who had come to the I-10 location for lunch, only to discover it was closed. "They had good food. It’s just sad."

The Bennigan’s at I-10 had suffered damage in Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 and was going to close then. However, North Channel community representatives called the corporate office, asking them to reconsider. They did and stayed open for another seven years.

Franchise locations will not be affected by the closings. Eleven Houston-area locations have closed and signs are hanging in the windows announcing the closing.

When calling the corporate office, a recording says that anyone who wishes a refund for gift cards can log on to www.uscourts.gov\bankruptcycourts.html, select Bankruptcy Forms and then select the B-10 form.

Maria Sanchez, the general manager of the Bennigan’s on I-10, could not be reached for comment.

Read more in the Aug. 7 edition of the North Channel Sentinel.