ORLANDO, Fla. – Hawkers Asian Street Fare, the Orlando-based pan-Asian restaurant chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court Monday.
In a statement released by the company, Hawkers Holdings, LLC is filing to “maintain operational control of the Company and preserve the integrity of its brand as to protect from an overreaching lender.”
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Hawkers said the company entered into an agreement in early 2023 to expand the brand across the United States. However, the company now accuses that lender of trying to take over operations.
Over the course of the last 60 days, it became clear that the lender’s intentions are to gain control of the Company, despite Hawkers having never missed a payment since partnership inception. This filing will allow Hawkers to continue normal, uninterrupted operations and vendor payments while company control is re-stabilized in a way that secures a thriving and successful future for Hawkers and its dedicated team.
Hawkers Asian Street Food’s goals remain clear and steady – protect the guest experience at every turn, prioritize the safety and well-being of its team members and stakeholders, and continue growing the brand in a sustainable and upstanding manner. While Hawkers hopes to negotiate a favorable outcome with said lender, the future of the company remains bright, and the team looks forward to welcoming guests for their Hawkers favorites for decades to come.
Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Hawkers wants to pause lender actions while it tries to sort the issue out.
Hawkers restaurants feature small plates, noodle dishes, and rice dishes based on street food cuisine from all over Asia. The first Hawkers opened on Mills Avenue in Orlando in 2011.
The company has since expanded to six locations around Florida, including Windermere, St. Petersburg, two in the Jacksonville area, and one in South Florida. Hawkers also has locations in Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee.
Hawkers officials said the company is continuing to experience decent sales growth. In 2023, the company says it saw 18.5% sales growth companywide.
Other longtime restaurants in the Orlando area are struggling, however, for various reasons.
Over the weekend, The Hammered Lamb in Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village held a fundraiser to help keep the popular spot open as it deals with a loss of business caused by road construction along Orange Avenue.
Hawkers CEO Kaleb Harrell talked about the experience of building the company with his friends on Florida Foodie back in 2021.
Restaurants in the area of Bumby Avenue and Robinson Street have also struggled as roadwork projects limited traffic. Nearby sandwich shop Pom Pom’s Teahouse is also closing for good in October after struggling over a year ago.
Longtime sub shop Kappy’s in Maitland closed this past weekend after 57 years after the restaurant was unable to negotiate a lease extension with the property’s owners.
We’ve shared a list of other recent closures HERE.
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