A Long Running Restaurant Chain Which Began In Texas Is Filing For Bankruptcy

Tex-Mex chain On the Border is seeking bankruptcy protection.

After a string of closures and navigating a tough economy, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has filed for bankruptcy protection. According to the Associated Press, executives at On The Border are citing pressure from inflation and the changing behavior of customers.

Why Did On The Border File For Bankruptcy?

On the Border filed for bankruptcy earlier in the week. The Associated Press reported that in court filings, On the Border claimed that customers are not dining out as often as they used to. The chain also blamed inflation and rising minimum wages in many stares for adding to its costs.

On the Border Closes Locations

Just las month, On the Border reportedly closed 40 locations nationwide. On the Border still has 60 locations in 18 states including in Texas. As of right now, On the Border says those locations will stay open while the chain works through bankruptcy. The Associated Press reported that in addition to the 60 locations, franchisees run an additional 20 locations in the United States and in South Korea.

READ MORE: On The Border Closes Its Doors

On the Border, A Texas Story

On the Border first opened in Dallas in 1982. In 1994, Brinker International purchased On the Border and begun opening franchised locations. By 2001, On the Border had over 100 locations. On the Border was sold in 2010 and then again in 2014 to Argonne. The AP reports that On the Border expects to complete a sale of its assets soon.

As a kid, I remember going to the massive On the Border location in Arlington, Texas located close to Six Flags. It wasn't a cookie-cutter restaurant that looked like every other location. It had personality and was a cool place to go even as a kid. It had a huge patio, shuffle board court, a party patio, water falls and a "river" that emptied into a pond or two. Kids would run around the place like it was a playground. To this day, I miss that On the Border.