Food

Popular pizza chain franchisee abruptly files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Despite the Chapter 11 filing by an Oregon-based franchisee, Mountain Mike's Pizza has expansion plans for 2026. ©Image Credit: Facebook / Mountain Mike's

Pizza lovers in Oregon need to shed a tear as another franchisee bites the dust. In a surprise announcement, a Mountain Mike's Pizza franchisee in Oregon has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Franchisee operates five locations

All indications are pointing towards Oregon losing five Mountain Mike's Pizza locations. Rogue Fare LLC, the franchisee, filed for Chapter 11 on July 1.

According to state records, the franchisee owns locations in Roseburg, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, and two in Medford.

In the filings, the franchisee listed only $50,000 in assets against $1 million to $10 million in debts.

The debt became too big a hurdle to get past for the franchisee, whose creditors include First Internet Bank of Indiana, First Bank of the Lake, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and more.

Rising pizza prices could be to blame

The pizza industry as a whole has been posting a decline in sales.

So what's the issue? Rising pizza prices could be chasing customers away. Data from Technomic's 2025 Pizza Consumer Trend Report shows that pizza prices have gone up 3% year over year, and more than 15% in the last five years.

On a tight budget, it looks like many people think pizza has gotten too expensive. Other fast food options can be cheaper and are making diners think twice.

Expansion plans still in place

Despite the Chapter 11 filing and the overall industry trends, Mountain Mike's Pizza has an ambitious expansion plan for 2026.

According to the chain's website, it plans to open 26 locations this year and is developing 100 locations that span 16 states. Currently, you can find Mountain Mike's Pizza in nine states. The expansion plan shows it's looking to enter a handful of new states.

Source: Yahoo! Finance

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