Bertucci’s Italian Restaurant has once again filed for bankruptcy, marking the third time in recent years that the chain has sought Chapter 11 protection. The filing, which took place on April 24, 2025, caught many longtime customers by surprise and coincided with the sudden closure of several locations. Despite these challenges, the company insists that it is working toward reorganizing and aiming for a more sustainable future.
Bertucci’s Bankruptcy: A Pattern of Struggles
Founded in 1981, Bertucci’s has faced financial troubles before. The chain filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and again in 2022, and now, just a few years later, the company is attempting to rebuild after its latest filing. The April 2025 bankruptcy filing aims to restructure the business and stabilize its future. A statement from the company highlighted the broader trend in the restaurant industry, with many legacy casual dining brands struggling as consumer spending habits shift.
Bertucci’s, like other chains, has found itself in a difficult position as the demand for traditional casual dining experiences has declined. According to court documents, the company owes between $10 million and $50 million in debt, and its assets are valued within the same range. This ongoing financial difficulty has led to the closure of several locations, particularly in Massachusetts, which was once home to over 80 Bertucci’s restaurants before the first bankruptcy filing in 2018.
Location Closures and Reduced Presence
Currently, Bertucci’s operates just 15 locations across Massachusetts, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Connecticut, and Maryland. In Massachusetts, only 10 locations remain open, down from at least 14 earlier this month. Notably, four Massachusetts locations—Braintree, Mansfield, North Andover, and Norwood—have closed permanently as part of the company’s restructuring process.
Each closed location now has a recorded message informing customers of the permanent shutdown, thanking them for their loyalty over the years. The remaining Massachusetts locations include Boston, Chelmsford, Framingham, Hingham, Medford, Newton, Reading, Waltham, and West Roxbury. In Boston, the company operates a fast-casual concept known as Bertucci’s Pronto, which serves pizza slices, sandwiches, and salads for takeout.
Customer Shock and Disappointment
The news of Bertucci’s closures has left many loyal customers shocked and saddened. Longtime patrons expressed disbelief over the closures, especially considering that the restaurant chain was popular for its brick oven pizzas and authentic Italian pastas. “It’s crazy because they actually made a lot of business, but now it’s vacant,” said Stephen Arabian, a customer who visited the Braintree location only to find a closure sign.
Courtney and Eddie Kinney, a couple who got engaged at the Braintree Bertucci’s, shared their own heartbreak when they found their favorite booth and restaurant closed. “We came just to have our usual dinner in our favorite booth, and you just broke the news to us. So sad!” Courtney said.
Bertucci’s Plans for the Future
Despite the closures, Bertucci’s remains optimistic about its future. The company reassured customers that the brand is not disappearing entirely, only scaling back to fewer locations. “For Bertucci’s longstanding and loyal patrons, the Bertucci’s you know and love is here to stay as well, just with a few less locations for now,” the company said in a statement.
Bertucci’s isn’t the only popular pizza restaurant facing difficulties. Other well-known pizza chains have also shut down multiple locations in recent years, with some restaurants citing poor menu changes and decreased customer demand as the primary reasons.
Bertucci’s bankruptcy filing and closures have left many long-time customers heartbroken, but the company is committed to restructuring its business for the long term. With fewer locations in operation, the iconic Italian restaurant chain hopes to rebuild and recover from its financial struggles. For now, those who still have a Bertucci’s near them can continue to enjoy their favorite meals, but the brand’s future remains uncertain as it faces industry-wide challenges.
