Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. has filed a voluntary bankruptcy petition. It is a Michigan-based restaurant operator. Court records show that the company’s liabilities and assets are estimated between $10 million and $50 million.
Note: Chapter 11 allows businesses to reorganize their debts while continuing operations under court supervision. A Chapter 11 filing does not necessarily mean that a business is closing. For additional information, readers are encouraged to contact the business directly.
Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. Files for Chapter 11
Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 on September 17, 2026. PACER records show that the petition was signed by CEO Robert E. Schermer Jr. Attorney Scott N. Opincar is representing the company in the case.
According to GlobeNewswire, the company said the Chapter 11 filing is intended to restructure its finances and strengthen its balance sheet. The company said its restaurants are expected to remain open and continue serving customers during the Chapter 11 case.
About Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc.
Meritage Hospitality Group, Inc. is a U.S.-based restaurant operator and franchise company headquartered in Michigan. It is primarily a Wendy’s franchise operator, although it also operates other restaurant concepts. It operates 314 Wendy’s restaurants, 1 Bojangles restaurant, and 5 independently branded restaurants across 15 states.
According to GlobeNewswire, Meritage has approximately 9,000 employees. According to the company, it expects restaurant-level operations to continue during the Chapter 11 restructuring process and intends to continue paying employees’ wages and benefits without interruption, subject to court approval of certain first-day motions. The company also said it intends to continue serving customers and paying suppliers and vendors in the ordinary course for goods and services provided on or after the filing date.
In the second quarter of 2026, it reported $150 million in sales, down from $163.5 million a year earlier.
Case Filing Details
Court records show that the company submitted a summary of its assets and liabilities. The company’s assets and liabilities are both estimated to be between $10 million and $50 million.
The company’s filing also includes a list of affiliated companies the case covers. This includes MHG Food Service, Inc., OCM Development, LLC, Wen Carolinas, LLC, Wen Georgia, LLC, RES Management, LLC, WM Limited Partnership-1998, and others.
According to the filing, funds will be available for distribution to unsecured creditors. A summary of the Chapter 11 petition is here:
- Filing Date: September 17, 2026
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Michigan
- Type of Filing: Active, Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11
- Case Number: 1:26-bk-02947
- Estimated Assets: Between $10 million and $50 million
- Estimated Liabilities: Between $10 million and $50 million
- Estimated Creditors: Between 1,000 and 5,000
Previous Chapter 11 Filings by Restaurant Operators
The restaurant and hospitality industry continues to witness several other similar companies seeking bankruptcy protection in the past months.
On May 22, 2026, The Abbey Group, LLC, filed a petition seeking Chapter 11 protection. The case records stated financial difficulties, including tax obligations, vendor debt, and other unsecured claims.
Negroni Brickell, LLC, submitted a bankruptcy petition on July 1, 2026. The company filed the petition under Subchapter V of Chapter 11. Court records show that the restaurant listed trade debt, tax obligations, and other liabilities in its filing.
The Chapter 11 filing allows Meritage Hospitality Group to pursue a reorganization of its debts as the case proceeds through bankruptcy court.
