The Stephan Co. has stepped into a Chapter 11 bankruptcy process to restructure its growing debts. The Florida-based distributor aims to continue operating under court supervision during the Chapter 11 process.
The Stephan Co. Files a Bankruptcy Protection
According to Pacer, The Stephan Co. formally applied for bankruptcy on November 26. The barber and beauty distributor made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Founded in 1897, the company distributes a wide range of hair care and beauty products. The Stephan Co. owns a family of companies, including Morris Flamingo, Appleton Barber Supply, Williamsport Bowman Barber Supply, 614 Barber Supply, and more.
Because the company is based in St. Petersburg, it filed for protection in the Middle District of Florida.
Court Proceedings and Updates
Attorney Patricia Redmond from Stearns Weaver Miller is legally representing The Stephan Co. in the latest bankruptcy case. Below are more details related to the case:
- Filing Date: November 26, 2025
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Type of Filing: Active, Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11
- Case Number: 8:25-bk-08937
- Estimated Assets: $10 million to $50 million
- Estimated Liabilities: $50 million to $100 million
- Reason for Filing: Restructuring of debts
Pacer filing shows that attorney Patricia Redmond submitted the voluntary petition on November 26. Many documents, including the Statement of Financial Affairs and Disclosure of Compensation of Attorney, were not filed by then.
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida further instructed the Florida-based distributor to submit its Chapter 11 and Disclosure Statement by March 26, 2026.
The Stephan Co. next submitted two motions for emergency matters. The first was to maintain pre-petition bank accounts and approve a cash management system, which is scheduled to have a hearing on or before December 2, 2025. The second motion was to limit notice and establish notice procedures, which is also supposed to be heard on or before December 2, 2025.
After this, the Florida Middle Bankruptcy Court directed Patricia Redmond to prepare, file, and serve notices of hearing for different matters. The court also asked the attorney to comply with the requirements set under Local Rule 2081-1.
The Stephan Co. submitted the Statement of Corporate Ownership on November 26. After this, the court allowed the Florida-based distributor to continue operations. Attorney Patricia Redmond filed the Chapter 11 Case Management Summary while representing the distributor.
The Stephan Co. requested the Florida Middle Bankruptcy Court to allow it to maintain pre-petition bank accounts. Patricia Redmond submitted the Certificate of Necessity on behalf of the barber and beauty distributor.
The company also moved to hire professional advisors as part of the Chapter 11 process. The Florida-based distributor also submitted a motion for authority to pay critical vendors.
The court stated that hearings to maintain pre-petition bank accounts, continue the cash management system, limit notice, establish notice procedures, and pay critical vendors will be held on December 2 at 4 p.m. The address for these is Tampa, FL – Courtroom 8B, Sam M. Gibbons United States Courthouse, 801 N. Florida Avenue.
The upcoming hearings will help determine whether The Stephan Co. can move forward with its reorganization plan.
