Bankruptcy news

North Texas-based breastaurant chain Twin Peaks files for bankruptcy

Twin Peaks has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Lewisville-based Twin Hospitality Group, the parent company of the Twin Peaks restaurant chain, is filing Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain has not announced plans for widespread restaurant closures.

The company, founded in Lewisville in 2005, quickly became a major competitor to Hooters, Bombshells, and other eateries centered on buxom waitstaff. Currently, there are 114 locations nationwide, including four in San Antonio.

The January 26 bankruptcy filing comes only a year after the company went public on the stock exchange with a $1 billion estimated value. For now, doors will remain open and staff will be paid, but it's not a sign of strength for most companies to enter Chapter 11.

"Twin Peaks has redefined the sports bar experience and built an iconic and highly profitable business. We are confident that the brand remains positioned for meaningful global expansion in the years to come,” said Andy Wiederhorn, CEO of Twin Hospitality, in a statement. “Our focus in this process remains providing quality service to our customers and supporting our franchise partners and the thousands of corporate and franchise employees.”

The news comes at a time of reckoning for "breastaurants.” Last year, the leading name in the industry, Hooters, announced a major brand shift away from its skimpy model. Dubbed the “re-Hooterization," the chain plans to return to its original branding of a beach-themed hangout spot.

Multiple locations in Texas have already been bought out or closed in Grapevine, Houston, Lubbock, Bryan, and San Marcos. A spokesperson for Hooters told CultureMap that they are in the process of transferring all Texas liquor licenses from the former ownership.

"We look forward to the completion of the transfers, but it is a process that takes a little bit of time," they said.

bankruptcy breastaurants chains

Deep Ellum News

Longtime craft beer bar in Dallas' Deep Ellum to close after 10 years

Dot's

Dot's Hop House duck fat fries.

A venerable craft beer bar and restaurant in Dallas' Deep Ellum is closing: Dot's Hop House & Cocktail Courtyard, which had been open at 2645 Commerce St. for a decade, will turn out the lights on Sunday, February 1.

In a post announcing the closure, the owners said it had been "a fun run for the last 10 years," but that their "time in Deep Ellum is coming to an end."

Co-founder Jeff Brightwell was unavailable for comment, but shuttering the location after 10 years would suggest that the bar has reached the end of its lease. Asana Partners, one of the dominant landlords in Deep Ellum, has owned the property since 2017.

The neighborhood has changed significantly in the past decade, with other craft beer purveyors such as Braindead Brewing and Deep Ellum Brewing having closed. There is also ongoing construction on Commerce Street — part of a two-year project to transform the street from one-way to two-way that has negatively impacted businesses, and which is not expected to be completed until late 2026.

Dot's opened in January 2016 from a team who'd had a hand in Denton craft beer spots such as Lucky Lou's and Oak Street Draft House. It featured 99 beers on tap, at a time when the craft beer trend was on the upswing — along with a full bar and a menu that surpassed regular bar food. Their signature dish became their duck fat cheese fries, an over-the-top rendition of loaded fries cooked in duck fat, smothered with smoked cheddar, queso blanco, candied bacon, and jalapenos.

They also had an extensive brunch offering, served both Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-3 pm that included migas, chicken biscuit sandwich, omelets, decadent stuffed French toast, and a "sandwich" made from two waffles filled with Brie cheese.

A key part of Dot's appeal was its a 10,000-square-foot beer garden, constructed within the building's footprint, creating a unique outdoor space that was ahead of its time, especially in Deep Ellum.

The bar was a personal expression for co-founder Jeff Brightwell, who visioned an urban oasis, and who named the bar for his mother (Dot was her nickname).

According to their post they'll be open this week from Thursday-Sunday or until the food is gone.

craft-beer deep-ellum closings