Law Offices of John T. Orcutt Bankruptcy Blog Feed

Popular Restaurant, Outback Steakhouse, has Filed for Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Law Office Blogger — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 02:59:04 +0000

Outback Steakhouse franchisee Out West Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it was struggling with a heavy debt burden and financial damage it attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company, legally known as Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings and its subsidiaries, operates 61 Outback restaurants in the western United States and filed in Delaware on November 2, 2026. This is not a bankruptcy filing by the entire Outback Steakhouse chain or its parent company, Bloomin’ Brands.

NC Justices Find Bankruptcy Paused A Debt Collection Deadline

Law Office Blogger — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 16:38:07 +0000

North Carolina’s highest court ruled that a man’s bankruptcy paused the deadline for a company to pursue a debt he owed. The bankruptcy placed a legal hold on collection efforts, known as an “automatic stay.” The justices found that this hold extended the company’s collection deadline, reversing a lower court’s ruling that the company had waited too long. In everyday terms, the company’s time to act did not simply run out while bankruptcy law prevented it from collecting.

Why Filing a Bankruptcy Yourself (Pro Se) Is Difficult

Law Office Blogger — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 16:16:35 +0000

Filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, called pro se, is difficult because it involves much more than filling out forms. You must understand legal rules, provide accurate financial information, and make decisions that can affect your money and property for years. Although individuals are allowed to represent themselves, the federal courts strongly recommend getting advice from a qualified bankruptcy attorney.

One-Seven North Carolina Bankruptcies Linked to Rent-A-Bank Loans

S. Patterson — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 15:14:36 +0000

Rent-a-bank lending is a high-cost loan arrangement in which a fintech company partners with an out-of-state bank to make loans while avoiding North Carolina’s interest-rate limits. A recent Center for Responsible Lending study found that these lenders appeared as creditors in 1,055 of 7,274 North Carolina personal bankruptcies filed from 2018 through 2023 -14.5%, or about one in seven cases.

How Can Bankruptcy Offer a Fresh Start

Law Office Blogger — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 18:12:05 +0000

Filing for bankruptcy can offer a fresh start by giving people a legal way to address debts they can no longer realistically repay. It can stop many collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and other creditor actions through a court protection called the automatic stay. Depending on the type of bankruptcy and the person’s circumstances, some debts may be eliminated or reorganized into a more manageable payment plan. Although bankruptcy is a serious decision with lasting financial effects, it can create room to rebuild instead of remaining trapped by overwhelming debt.

North Carolina Wendy’s Franchisee File for Bankruptcy Protection

Law Office Blogger — Wed, 30 Sep 2026 16:08:38 +0000

Meritage Hospitality Group, one of Wendy’s largest U.S. franchisees, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after a combination of falling sales, sharply higher food costs, heavy debt pressure, and a dispute with Wendy’s made its finances unsustainable. The Grand Rapids-based operator runs 314 Wendy’s restaurants across 15 states, including North Carolina, and says it intends to keep restaurants open and continue paying roughly 9,000 employees while restructuring.

Congratulations to Attorney Ryan Srnik

Law Office Blogger — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:16:00 +0000

The Law Offices of John T. Orcutt proudly congratulates Ryan Srnik on his formal appointment to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina’s Local Rules Committee.

Fried chicken chain files Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Law Office Blogger — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:08:22 +0000

Yardbird Group filed for Chapter 11 because its restaurant business has accumulated more debt and financial obligations than it can comfortably manage under its normal operations. In simple terms, the company is using the bankruptcy court to gain breathing room, keep the business running while it reorganizes, and look for a buyer or new financing rather than simply shutting down immediately. The filing covers Yardbird Group and 10 related entities, and it was made voluntarily in Delaware on September 21, 2026.

Durham Based Energy Company Files for ch. 11 Bankruptcy

Law Office Blogger — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:32:14 +0000

American Efficient, a Durham-based energy company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it faces a government order totaling more than $1.1 billion—far more than the company says it can afford to pay. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concluded that the company improperly collected money in electricity markets by claiming credit for energy savings it did not truly create or control. American Efficient denies that it did anything wrong and is continuing to fight the government’s findings in court.

Update on Historical Raleigh College, St. Augustine University Bankruptcy Proceedings

Law Office Blogger — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:19:05 +0000

Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which is a court-supervised process meant to give an organization time to reorganize its finances rather than immediately shut down. In simple terms, the school has far more debt and financial obligations than it can currently handle, so it is working with a bankruptcy judge, creditors, and advisers to decide whether it can become financially stable. The university has not formally closed, but its ability to operate as a school is extremely limited while the case continues.