LUBBOCK, Texas--Food Concepts International Holdings, Inc. ("FCIH") the parent company behind the Lubbock-based Abuelo’s restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing in Fort Worth outlines a number of challenges the company has faced since 2023, including persistent inflation, and reduced consumer spending.

The company sought court approval to maintain basic operations including paying workers and utility bills while it restructures and attempts to keep the business going. A judge approved those requests Friday.

According to court documents, Abuelo’s experienced a 5.9% decline in customer traffic from 2022 to 2023. This drop was largely driven by inflation, which not only squeezed consumers' budgets but also increased the company's costs for food and labor.

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