Latest news with #RandyCohen
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beloved Tex Mex staple shuts all locations forever after decades
Loyal customers have been forced to say adios to the Z'Tejas restaurant chain for good after 36 years of business. The longtime eatery shuttered its last location in Kyle, Texas, on June 30, marking the end of an era in the South. The final shutdown comes a couple of years after a huge wave of closures for the chain, including its 33-year-old flagship restaurant in Austin. Z'Tejas continued to operate four locations by the time 2025 rolled around. However, the chain was quietly searching for a buyer before ultimately deciding to shutter all restaurants. 'We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z'Tejas a part of your lives,' the management team added. Z'Tejas was known for creating made-from-scratch Southwestern cuisine, as well as features like brunch and private events. It reached its peak in the 1990s after expanding its operations to Arizona and once operated 14 restaurants, at least one being in California. Things took an unfortunate turn for the chain in the 2010s, leading to a bankruptcy filing in 2015 due to tough competition and trend changes. Z'Tejas filed for the second time in 2017, and was acquired by Randy Cohen, founder of ticket company TicketCity, a year later with the hope of bringing it back to its former glory. 'We've got so much love and spirit at Z'Tejas and I just want to see it bounce back to the magic it used to be,' Cohen told Ahwatukee Foothills News in 2023. The company invested $1 million in a restaurant revamp, which included new murals, decorations, furniture, and landscaping. While Cohen put the chain up for sale, co-owner Robby Nethercut claimed the restaurants were doing 'really well' and hoped a buyer would help the brand grow. Sadly, Z'Tejas could not find any bidders, making it the end of the road for the once-thriving chain. Z'Tejas is not the only restaurant business to have permanently shuttered this year. The once-popular EVOS burger chain ceased operations after 31 years in April . Sticky's Finger Joint, a New York-based chicken chain, is closing all its restaurants after failing to bounce back from its April bankruptcy filing. Others have shrunk significantly over the last few years following longtime financial struggles. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a major Z'Tejas competitor, filed for bankruptcy in March and is closing 76 restaurants in 24 states. Chains hanging on by a thread after bankruptcy filings include Dallas-based pub chain Bar Louie and Planta, a celebrity hotspot known for Asian-inspired dishes . Other businesses like Jack in the Box and Noodles & Company are in the process of completing mass closures while avoiding Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Beloved Tex Mex staple shuts all locations forever after decades serving loyal customers
Loyal customers have been forced to say adios to the Z'Tejas restaurant chain for good after 36 years of business. The longtime eatery shuttered its last location in Kyle, Texas, on June 30, marking the end of an era in the South. 'After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it's time to say goodbye to this chapter,' the chain wrote on its website. The company said it was closing its last remaining outpost, blaming its lease coming to an end and 'the challenges of today's market.' The final shutdown comes a couple of years after a huge wave of closures for the chain, including its 33-year-old flagship restaurant in Austin. Z'Tejas continued to operate four locations by the time 2025 rolled around. However, the chain was quietly searching for a buyer before ultimately deciding to shutter all restaurants. 'We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z'Tejas a part of your lives,' the management team added. Z'Tejas was known for creating made-from-scratch Southwestern cuisine, as well as features like brunch and private events. It reached its peak in the 1990s after expanding its operations to Arizona and once operated 14 restaurants, at least one being in California. Things took an unfortunate turn for the chain in the 2010s, leading to a bankruptcy filing in 2015 due to tough competition and trend changes. Z'Tejas filed for the second time in 2017, and was acquired by Randy Cohen, founder of ticket company TicketCity, a year later with the hope of bringing it back to its former glory. 'We've got so much love and spirit at Z'Tejas and I just want to see it bounce back to the magic it used to be,' Cohen told Ahwatukee Foothills News in 2023. The company invested $1 million in a restaurant revamp, which included new murals, decorations, furniture, and landscaping. While Cohen put the chain up for sale, co-owner Robby Nethercut claimed the restaurants were doing 'really well' and hoped a buyer would help the brand grow. Sadly, Z'Tejas could not find any bidders, making it the end of the road for the once-thriving chain. The restaurant chain had closed several restaurants before 2020 after filing for bankruptcy twice Z'Tejas is not the only restaurant business to have permanently shuttered this year. The once-popular EVOS burger chain ceased operations after 31 years in April. Sticky's Finger Joint, a New York-based chicken chain, is closing all its restaurants after failing to bounce back from its April bankruptcy filing. Others have shrunk significantly over the last few years following longtime financial struggles. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a major Z'Tejas competitor, filed for bankruptcy in March and is closing 76 restaurants in 24 states. Chains hanging on by a thread after bankruptcy filings include Dallas-based pub chain Bar Louie and Planta, a celebrity hotspot known for Asian-inspired dishes. Other businesses like Jack in the Box and Noodles & Company are in the process of completing mass closures while avoiding Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Miami Herald
04-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Iconic Restaurant Chain Closes All Locations: ‘Time to Say Goodbye'
Southwestern Tex-Mex chain Z'Tejas said it is closing its final location, ending over 30 years of business across Texas and Arizona. The closing of this once-iconic regional chain reflects broader challenges facing the restaurant industry due to rising costs and changed consumer habits following the COVID-19 pandemic. Several other American chains, including Denny's, Applebee's, TGI Fridays and Red Lobster have closed dozens of branches or filed for bankruptcy within the last year. The Austin-born chain Z'Tejas has faced troubles in recent years, having filed for bankruptcy twice. It started to close locations in 2017. Its final four locations, two in Texas and two in Arizona, began closing in recent months. Z'Tejas announced the closure of its final location in Kyle, Texas, as of June 30. The restaurant chain wrote on its website: "After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it's time to say goodbye to this chapter. With our lease coming to an end and the challenges of today's market, we've made the very difficult decision to close [Z'Tejas]-our last remaining outpost." Z'Tejas was bought out of bankruptcy in 2018 by investors Michael Stone and Randy Cohen. In recent months, Cohen, who is now the sole owner, said he was seeking to sell off the chain's remaining four locations to focus on other ventures. "I'm not a restaurateur at the end," he told the Austin Business Journal. "This was a labor of love to make sure we didn't lose another restaurant soldier that's out there during these tough times." He said that Austin has "a crowded restaurant scene and a lot of people are going away because the economy is a little rougher. People are hurting and can't afford to take a family out for $150 for four people." "We still are a value-driven restaurant. Somewhere, obviously way above Chili's, but way under some of the other places," he said. It's thought as of January that the business could be sold for between $10 million and $12 million. The original Z'Tejas opened on Austin's famous Sixth Street in 1989, and that branch was closed in 2023. Its menu, which featured a blend of Mexican and Texan cuisine, included signature items such as cornbread, street corn risotto and fajitas. Z'Tejas said in a statement on its website: "We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z'Tejas a part of your lives. It's been our honor to serve you." With the closure of the final location, the chain is no longer in business. Related Articles National Burrito Day 2018: Where To Score The Most Delicious Deals 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
04-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Iconic Restaurant Chain Closes All Locations: 'Time to Say Goodbye'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Southwestern Tex-Mex chain Z'Tejas said it is closing its final location, ending over 30 years of business across Texas and Arizona. Why It Matters The closing of this once-iconic regional chain reflects broader challenges facing the restaurant industry due to rising costs and changed consumer habits following the COVID-19 pandemic. Several other American chains, including Denny's, Applebee's, TGI Fridays and Red Lobster have closed dozens of branches or filed for bankruptcy within the last year. What To Know The Austin-born chain Z'Tejas has faced troubles in recent years, having filed for bankruptcy twice. It started to close locations in 2017. Its final four locations, two in Texas and two in Arizona, began closing in recent months. Z'Tejas announced the closure of its final location in Kyle, Texas, as of June 30. A photo showing a stock image of tortillas. Tex-Mex chain Z'Tejas said it is closing its final location in Texas. A photo showing a stock image of tortillas. Tex-Mex chain Z'Tejas said it is closing its final location in Texas. Getty Images The restaurant chain wrote on its website: "After nearly three decades of serving communities across Texas and Arizona, it's time to say goodbye to this chapter. With our lease coming to an end and the challenges of today's market, we've made the very difficult decision to close [Z'Tejas]—our last remaining outpost." Z'Tejas was bought out of bankruptcy in 2018 by investors Michael Stone and Randy Cohen. In recent months, Cohen, who is now the sole owner, said he was seeking to sell off the chain's remaining four locations to focus on other ventures. "I'm not a restaurateur at the end," he told the Austin Business Journal. "This was a labor of love to make sure we didn't lose another restaurant soldier that's out there during these tough times." He said that Austin has "a crowded restaurant scene and a lot of people are going away because the economy is a little rougher. People are hurting and can't afford to take a family out for $150 for four people." "We still are a value-driven restaurant. Somewhere, obviously way above Chili's, but way under some of the other places," he said. It's thought as of January that the business could be sold for between $10 million and $12 million. The original Z'Tejas opened on Austin's famous Sixth Street in 1989, and that branch was closed in 2023. Its menu, which featured a blend of Mexican and Texan cuisine, included signature items such as cornbread, street corn risotto and fajitas. What People Are Saying Z'Tejas said in a statement on its website: "We are deeply grateful to our guests, neighbors, and friends for your support, your stories, and for making Z'Tejas a part of your lives. It's been our honor to serve you." What Happens Next With the closure of the final location, the chain is no longer in business.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arts industry generates $33.5 million in economic activity for Odessa
Mar. 31—Randy Cohen, Vice President of Research for Americans for the Arts, will be the featured speaker at the upcoming Arts Leaders Luncheon, hosted by Odessa Arts on Friday, April 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, Rea-Greathouse Recital Hall. This special luncheon invites arts leaders, supporters, and the public to hear firsthand the results of a major economic impact study conducted in 2024 by Odessa Arts in conjunction with Americans for the Arts. Cohen will present findings from the Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (AEP6) study, which reveals that in 2024, the nonprofit arts and culture sector in Odessa generated $33.5 million in total economic activity. This includes $15.7 million in spending by arts and culture organizations and $17.8 million in event-related spending by audiences. The study also shows that the arts supported 397 local jobs, generated $13.2 million in personal income, and provided $4.5 million in tax revenue to local, state, and federal governments. "This is just one of the many insights Randy Cohen will share," Randy Ham, Executive Director of Odessa Arts, said in a news release. "His presentation will highlight how deeply the arts impact our local economy, workforce, and quality of life." Randy Cohen will also be a featured speaker at Odessa Arts' Spectacular! Spectacular! Black & White Ball on Saturday, April 5, at the Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Event Details — Event: Arts Leaders Luncheon featuring Randy Cohen. — Date: Friday, April 4. — Time: 11:30 a.m. — 1 p.m. — Location: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, Rea-Greathouse Recital Hall. — Tickets: This event is open to the public, and arts leaders are encouraged to attend to learn how arts investment is fueling Odessa's growth and prosperity.
