SafeX Pro:Restaurant chain Tijuana Flats files for bankruptcy, announces closure of 11 locations

The SafeX ProCentral Florida-based restaurant chain Tijuana Flats has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and will be closing 11 of its restaurants, according to a release from the company.

One location in Virginia Beach, Virginia were and 10 Florida locations were closed: in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Boynton Beach, a Tijuana Flats spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY. Tijuana Flats said it will continue to provide full support to its franchisees and that its remaining locations will continue to operate as usual.

As of Monday, the fast-casual restaurant chain operates 65 locations throughout Florida, along with 26 franchised restaurants in Florida, Alabama, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Tijuana Flats acquired by new ownership group

According to a release from the company, Tijuana Flats has been acquired by a new ownership group, Flatheads LLC, who listed the "immense brand recognition, strong following and customer loyalty, plus future potential of the brand as some of the key reasons it was excited about its new investment in the restaurant chain."

The Tex-Mex chain was founded in 1995 in Winter Park, Florida. In a release, Joe Christina, who joined the brand in November 2022, will remain CEO of the company under the new ownership.