Oprah-backed True Food Kitchen files for bankruptcy, blaming management turnover and strategy shifts

What happened: True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Texas court on Sunday and is pursuing a court-supervised sale. The chain closed 12 restaurants the same day, leaving 34 locations across 14 states. Key numbers: About $42 million in debt. 12 restaurants closed, 34 remain open in 14 states. Why it matters: Court filings cite management turnover, pandemic effects, and expansion outside core markets as causes. CEO Jeff Chandler called the filing the best path to simplify the business. Oprah Winfrey remains a minority investor but is no longer on the board.

True Food Kitchen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Texas court on Sunday and is pursuing a court-supervised sale. The chain closed 12 restaurants the same day, leaving 34 locations across 14 states.

Court filings cite management turnover, pandemic effects, and expansion outside core markets as causes. CEO Jeff Chandler called the filing the best path to simplify the business. Oprah Winfrey remains a minority investor but is no longer on the board.