Bennigan's Chain Closes Nationwide

Company owned Bennigan's Restaurants are closing down nationwide. Independently owned franchises will remain open.

Bennigan's spokeswoman Leah Templeton said Bennigan's and Steak and Ale restaurants – both of which are owned by Plano, Texas-based Metromedia Restaurant Group – have filed for bankruptcy, along with the holding company S&A Restaurant Corp.

Not all stores bearing the Bennigan's name have filed for bankruptcy, Templeton said. Independently owned franchise locations are not named as debtors in the bankruptcy claim and are not affected.

Sources say that restaurant manager's were suddenly notified at midnight of the closing and told not to open the next day.

The Bennigan's website has not made any indication of the closing, still advertising the Jameson barbecue menu and other specials.