Buca di Beppo files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, has plans for restructuring

Buca di Beppo, known for family-style dining, announced it has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas.

According to a news release, the company plans to restructure and “ensure a seamless transition and to position the brand for future success.”

The company said they also aim to optimize operations while enhancing dining experiences.

Buca di Beppo is known for its northern and southern Italian specialties, such as spaghetti with meatballs, fettuccini alfredo and lasagna offerings served family-style.

In recent weeks, Buca di Beppo shuttered a dozen locations, including its Livonia and Utica restaurants, the only ones in Michigan.

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"After being part of this community for 25 years, regrettably, Buca di Beppo in Livonia has closed. We thank our customers for their loyalty — it was our privilege to be the backdrop for countless gatherings and celebrations over the past two decades," Buca di Beppo said in an email statement to the Free Press regarding the Livonia closing.

Buca di Beppo’s remaining 44 locations will be restructured, according to the news release, and they are also in the process of opening a new location.

Rich Saultz, president of Buca di Beppo, also called the bankruptcy filing, a “strategic step towards a strong future for Buca di Beppo.

“While the restaurant industry has faced significant challenges, this move is the best next step for our brand,” Saultz said in a news release. "By restructuring with the continued support of our lenders, we are paving the way toward a reinvigorated future."

As for the 44 Buca di Beppo locations that are still open, the company said they “expect day-to-day operations to continue uninterrupted.”

Buca di Beppo said the restaurants will operate as usual and that all gift cards, reservations and promotional services remain active and redeemable.

How and whether metro Detroit customers will be able to redeem gift cards, remains unclear.

Emails to the company from the Free Press regarding gift cards were answered by a spokesperson, who said they had no further information.

Buca di Beppo was founded in 1993 in Minneapolis. According to its website, Buca di Beppo is a brand under Florida-based Earl Enterprises portfolio of restaurants, which includes Chicken Guy, Bravo Italian Kitchen and Planet Hollywood. The Livonia Chicken Guy, metro Detroit’s first, shuttered in June after 15 months in business.

Contact Detroit Free Press food writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on X (formerly Twitter.) Support local journalism and become a digital subscriber to the Free Press.