
Rubio’s Coastal Grill is closing down 48 of its restaurants in California, citing the rising business costs in the state.
The West Coast food chain, known for its fish tacos, will keep 86 locations open throughout California, Arizona, and Nevada. Half of these closures will take place in the southern part of the state, including in Los Angeles and Orange counties, with 13 closing in the San Diego area.
“Despite the company’s best efforts to right-size the company, the continued challenging economic conditions have negatively affected its ability to meet the demands of its debt burden,” read a Chapter 11 filing Rubio’s shared with the Washington Examiner. “The company believes the best path forward for Rubio’s is through a court-supervised sale process that will position the brand for long-term success to grow and flourish.”
In this May 12, 2020 photo, customers walk past an open sign at Rubio’s Coastal Grill on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, in Long Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Carl DeMaio, chairman of Reform California, attributed these closures to a minimum wage increase within the state, claiming that state politicians have “declared war on small businesses.” On April 1, C …