Posted on 09/11/2010 8:05:07 AM PDT by mountn man
Irvine-based Claim Jumper is the latest restaurant company forced to file for bankruptcy protection amid a brutal economy that has hit the casual dining sector the hardest.
Claim Jumper, which operates 45 restaurants in eight states, said it filed for Chapter 11 protection Friday, and will be sold to Los Angeles-based private equity firm Private Capital Partners, an affiliate of Canyon Capital Advisors.
The company did not disclose the sale price. No restaurant closures are planned at this time, company officials said.
“Claim Jumper was hit hard by the soft California economy but so were other casual dining chains on the West Coast,” said Tom Barber, a principal at Private Capital Partners. “We believe the business will rebound strongly as the economy rebounds.”
(Excerpt) Read more at fastfood.ocregister.com ...
I hope they survive this intact.
They just opened 3 of these near me in the last 3 years or so.
I went to Claim Jumper my first time with a ladyfriend. She asked me if I’d like to split a piece of cake. (We were at the bar, having a couple of drinks). I was puzzled by this, until I saw the portion. It looked like a wedge cut from a chocolate depth charge. It was the biggest slice of cake I have ever seen.
Wow. They are always crowed. I went to a really small cafe in Utah named Claim Jumpers. Though it was part of the chain. The owner told me that “Claim Jumpers” leases the name from him. Gets paid a bundle as long as his cafe stays open. (Don’t now if it’s true but what a great story.)
They also put out a pretty good line of frozen dinners.
I went to one of their restaurants outside of Phoenix. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. I hope they survive.
(just a picture I found on the net)
I'll have to check that out.
But then if I have a restaurant 15 minutes away, why buy frozen?
Do they believe the economy will rebound soon enough?
This summer we lost a great Chili's and I can't imagine not having our Claim Jumpers!
OT: Years ago, 30+, DH and I used to take visiting relatives to the original Chili's in Dallas (on Greenback Lane or Greenville Lane??? something like that). It was a dive looking place, added on buildings in a dirt parking lot.....Mmmmmmm, the best food, though.....Original Chili's Trip hamburger!
Good times!!
One of the few things I do miss about living in the Los Angeles area are the restaurants. Claim Jumper is awesome. I still remember one opening up to big fanfare (and long lines) near my house. You had to wait >1 hour for a table.
I liked the black tie pasta.
Of course, with the meals the size they serve, I NEVER...EVER have room for dessert.
I guess thats where the adage comes in "Lifes short. Eat Dessert first"
(chicken and biscuits) With a meal like this, who has room for dessert???
(check out the size of that biscuit)
It’s called, appropriately, “The Mother Load.”
<It was the biggest slice of cake I have ever seen.
Someone brought a Claim Jumper cake for a going away party. You’re right, I’d never seen anything like it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.