Tex-Mex fast-casual chain closes all of its restaurants

Tex-Mex fast-casual chain closes all of its restaurants Independently-owned On The Border franchise locations will remain open - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments On The Border, a Tex-Mex fast-casual restaurant chain, will close all of its locations Friday. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025 and was acquired by Pappas Restaurants two months later. The chain, which serves “Border-Style Tex-Mex cuisine” including fajitas, tacos and margaritas, according to its website, has been reducing its 60 locations since the acquisition. As of Friday, the company's website listed 33 locations across the U.S. “On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has made the difficult decision to move forward with a significant transition in its restaurant operations, which will include the closing of company-owned locations by end of day Friday, June 12, 2026,” OTB Hospitality, the restaurant’s corporate management group, told Fast Company. OTB Hospitality said that independently-operated franchise locations — which includes restaurants in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California, and South Korea — will remain in operation. An employee at the company’s Wichita Falls location told KFDX/KJTL that the closures had left her with only two days to find a new job. “I was called by several employees informing me that they were shutting down all On The Border locations and our last day would be Friday,” the woman, who was not named, said. “I’m a single mom who walks to work every day to try and pay my bills. It’s highly upsetting to have a company completely disregard how many of us have families. Two days is a slap in the face to a lot of us. I wish the best to all my coworkers and hope that we can all find a job fast.” In its statement to Fast Company, OTB Hospitality said its "immediate focus is on supporting our team members through this transition and ensuring an orderly and respectful closure," though it was unclear what exactly that meant for workers. The Independent has requested comment from OTB Hospitality. The news of the closure surprised not only employees but also the chain’s loyal customers. One Wichita Falls resident told KFDX/KJTL that On The Border was a regular stop for him and his wife. “This is the place for me and my wife. We definitely come here to eat,” Darren Burrus told the news station. “Today we just wanted to get out and do something and come here and find out that one of my favorite places is closing.” Another regular customer, Twany Nelson, told the outlet that she met her husband while they were working together at the restaurant more than a decade ago. “I was shocked and a little sad because me and my husband both worked here at the same time and met here, and we’ve been together 13 years,” she said. On The Border opened in 1982 in Dallas, Texas, according to NBC5. The original restaurant closed for regular service in 2019 and re-opened the same year as a catering and delivery-only location. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments [Image text:] ONTHE BORDER ON THE BORDER + Google Maps