Upscale Fried Chicken Chain Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Yardbird Group LLC, an upscale fried chicken chain with locations in the U.S. and internationally, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on September 21, 2026. The filing includes multiple affiliated entities operating under different regional names across major cities like Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, Chicago, Las Vegas, Singapore, and more. Yardbird has not publicly disclosed specific reasons behind the filing but cited legacy debt as a factor in its statement to media outlets. The chain had previously closed several high-profile locations, including its original restaurant on Miami Beach after 15 years of operation and its Denver location following missed rent payments. Despite being praised for its Southern comfort food concept by culinary experts like James Beard and Bon Appétit, Yardbird struggled with financial pressures that led to the bankruptcy filing. According to recent updates from Law360, Yardbird reported $25 million in secured debt and another $25 million in unsecured obligations. The company emphasized that currently operating locations remain open during this restructuring process.
