Another batch folds:
- Fifteen Panera Bread stores in the Houston area have shut down after franchisee EYM Café of Texas LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on August 2, 2025. Hundreds of employees lost their jobs, with many unsure how to collect final paychecks. The company owes $10 million to $50 million to hundreds of creditors.
Panera Bread sued EYM Café in May 2025, accusing it of failing to pay fees, vendors, and landlords, breaching franchise agreements, and violating food safety and brand standards. Despite termination notices for multiple locations, Panera claims EYM continued operating them illegally. Payment problems reportedly began in February 2025.
EYM Café, run by Eduardo Diaz, had operated the 15 stores since 2019. All locations closed on August 1, 2025.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/panera-franchise-collapses-houston-lawsuits-021930061.html