In another blow to the restaurant industry under the Biden administration, popular fast-casual pizza chain Mod Pizza is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. According to sources close to the matter, the company could file for bankruptcy as soon as next week, marking a troubling trend among once-thriving American eateries.
Mod Pizza, known for its customizable personal pizzas made on the spot, has established a significant presence across the nation with locations in 28 states. Since its inception in Seattle in 2008, the chain rapidly expanded to over 500 locations, earning $700 million in system sales by last year. At its peak, Mod Pizza was one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in the U.S., ambitiously planning to operate 1,000 locations by 2023.
However, the reality has been starkly different. In January, Mod Pizza appointed a new CEO, replacing co-founder Scott Svenson, in an attempt to steer the struggling chain back on course. Despite these efforts, the company closed 26 underperforming locations in April, and additional closures have followed. This rapid decline raises questions about the effectiveness of the current administration’s economic policies and their impact on small and medium-sized businesses.
A representative for Mod Pizza was unavailable for comment, leaving many wondering about the future of the beloved pizza chain. This potential bankruptcy follows closely on the heels of other notable restaurant chains facing financial difficulties. Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May, and popular Mexican chain Rubio’s also filed a bankruptcy petition last month. These closures are indicative of a larger trend affecting businesses across the country.
The economic climate has been particularly harsh on the restaurant industry, with many chains shuttering locations nationwide in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. Rising inflation, increased labor costs, and supply chain disruptions have all played a part in creating a hostile environment for businesses to thrive. The Biden administration’s handling of the economy, marked by high inflation and a sluggish recovery, has put immense pressure on these businesses.
For many Americans, Mod Pizza’s potential bankruptcy is more than just a story about a restaurant chain—it’s a reflection of broader economic issues that have left countless businesses struggling to survive. The administration’s focus on green energy initiatives and other policy priorities seems to have overlooked the critical needs of small businesses that are the backbone of the U.S. economy.
As Mod Pizza prepares for what could be a final chapter, its story serves as a cautionary tale. The once-promising chain’s downfall highlights the urgent need for policies that support, rather than hinder, economic growth and stability for businesses of all sizes. The restaurant industry’s struggles are a microcosm of the broader challenges facing the nation, challenges that demand immediate and effective action.
In the end, the fate of Mod Pizza is a stark reminder of the precarious state of the American economy under current leadership. As more beloved chains face closure and bankruptcy, it’s clear that a change in economic strategy is needed to revive the American dream for entrepreneurs and business owners across the country.