Franchisee’s Bankruptcy Closes A Tuscaloosa Wendy’s, Others Remain Open For Now

A fast food franchisee permanently closed one of their locations in Tuscaloosa last month before declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy, leaving questions about the future of their other five locations in the region.

The company, Florida-based Starboard Group, operates more than 100 locations for brands including Cicis Pizza, Subway, McAlister's Deli and Fuzzy's Taco Shop, but their Alabama operations focus on Wendy's.

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According to their site, the Starboard Group operated six Wendy's in West Alabama - three in Tuscaloosa and one apiece in Northport, Brent and Demopolis. Last month, though, their Wendy's on 15th Street in Tuscaloosa was permanently closed. 

The closure came just before Starboard declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, and QSR Magazine reported they shuttered 11 locations "and more are likely on the way."

CEO Andrew Levy blamed the moves on COVID-19, supply chain issues, bad investments in Brazil and the cost of extensive, mandatory remodels to several Wendy's locations.

For now, the other Starboard Wendy's locations in West Alabama remain open, including the eateries on Oscar Baxter Drive near Lowes, the Wendy's in Five Points and the Northport store on McFarland Boulevard.

For more stories on restaurants and retailers around West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.