Cody residents need to “have it your way” soon before one of the community’s fast food options closes its doors – possibly, for good.
Restaurant Business reports that Meridian Restaurants Unlimited, the 116-unit Burger King franchisee that filed for bankruptcy in March, is closing 27 restaurants across eight states – one out of five of its operating franchises – according to court filings.
Meridian operated 120 restaurants, most of which it acquired when they were struggling, believing they could be turned around. However, unit volumes lower than Burger King’s $1.45 million average and struggles with high labor and food costs prompted the company to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March.
The closing locations are scattered across Minnesota, Utah, Montana, Kansas, Nebraska, and North Dakota. Many of these Burger Kings are in small towns – like Cody.
Cody’s Burger King at 1902 Mountain View Drive is among the 27 locations slated to close. As of April 11, no closure date has been announced.
This closure may not be surprising to Cody residents. The franchise has a two out of five rating on Tripadvisor and is ranked last out of Cody’s 16 “Quick Bites” options. It’s across-the-street competition McDonald’s isn’t faring much better, one spot above with a 2.5 rating.
Meridian is one of two large-scale Burger King operators to file for bankruptcy, while a third closed 26 restaurants in Michigan. The company has struggled with weak sales and weak profitability at a time when costs have soared.
Furthermore, anyone craving Burger King won’t be able to sate their craving anywhere in the region. The two franchises closest to Cody – in Lewistown and Billings, Montana – are also closing. Both are currently owned and operated by Meridian Restaurants Unlimited.
