Furr’s Buffet files for Chapter 11 protection

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | February 4, 2014

[2ndDivisionVet]

Texas-based Furr’s Fresh Buffet restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company announced Tuesday.

The chain employs more than 2,000 people but plans to continue operating its 29 restaurants in New Mexico, Arizona, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas during the Chapter 11 process.

Buffet Partners LP said a December ice and sleet storm in North Texas, leaving tens of thousands of people without power and stranding drivers, severely hurt its already tenuous liquidity.

Barry M. Barron Sr., who was named chief executive of Buffet Partners last June, said in a statement that because of “the challenges facing our industry and the liquidity constraints due to our indebtedness and the recent ice storm, we need to explore options to restructure our debt, recapitalize and position ourselves for future growth.”(continued)

[2ndDivisionVet]

There goes another one.

[bigbob]

So I guess since nasty Republicans caused global warming which caused the ice and sleet storm which caused Furrs to suffer losses, it’s our fault.

[napscoordinator]

A lot of people have stopped going to buffets. I have noticed that in Maryland too. Many are closing. Who wants to eat that much food anyway. People just don’t seem to be eating as much as before. I am not sure why but maybe people are just eating at different places.

[Vince Ferrer]

the challenges facing our industry

Obamacare + shrinking middle class no longer has disposable income

[Rock Eye Jack]

I hope they can reorganize. Sure do enjoy Furr's

[Maine Mariner]

When my parent retired to Texas, their two favorite places were Furr’s and Luby’s

[SeminoleCounty]

Remember those Furr’s Cafeterias as a kid. Thought we were eating fancy when we ate there...he he at the time not a lot of money

Bummer they are going by the wayside. The chain sit down restaurants started their downfall

[catnipman]

“Remember those Furr’s Cafeterias as a kid. Thought we were eating fancy when we ate there...he he at the time not a lot of money”

Ditto. But Furr’s a la carte prices were actually pretty high and for a family of five decades ago, it actually cost quite a lot to eat there.

[lulu16]

It was a very sad day when we lost Home Town Buffet in my town. And then we discovered Golden Corral. We went there for Thanksgiving and were greeted with hugs by the staff. The place was super busy. We go there every month after church on Sunday; it has the best dressed clientele:)

I hope to God this place does not go under. My husband and I love good ole American food buffets. Everyone gets a choice, everyone takes what they want. And there is something about mac and cheese and spinach from a warming tray that taste better than it does at home.

[tennmountainman]

I don’t see how any restaurant has stayed in business over the last 6 years.

[PrairieLady2]

I enjoy Furr’s. Went to eat there a few days ago to discover they’re closed :(
And yes, some were better than others.

I DON’T like Golden corral. Furr’s food had more of a home made taste while GC tastes totally boxed and artificial.

And then of course, after seeing GC’s food handling practices...no thanks! I have a family member who enjoyed eating there and that’s the only reason I ever went. The bad food handling practices (and NOT just from you tube, but actually witnessed at our local GC, FIRST HAND) simply gave me the excuse not to eat there anymore.

I PERSONALLY started picking out what I could see was rotten lettuce from a salad bowl, and put the rotten stuff to the side. I decided i didn’t want any salad after seeing all the rot in there.

Along comes one of the cooks after I’d moved away from the salad bowl, who swiped up that rotten lettuce from the counter and who THREW IT BACK INTO THE BOWL!

I wasn’t able to get her attention and I never went back. We decided not to tell the manager, but to allow it to continue so that others would see it for themselves.

[ican'tbelieveit]

I think it might have something to do with quality of food. Some of the buffet prices are reasonable and comparable to other meals out. But I gave them up years ago because the food was awful, regardless of the restaurant.

[cherry]

and don’t forget they caused aids too....and cancer...

[cherry]

buffets are still very busy here.....but you're right...when you get right down to it, who needs to eat that much, and it always seems a bit rushed as well.....

did you ever look around at a Golden Corral?....lots of "big" people and I say "big" in the kindest way....