Beloved Breakfast Chain Files for Bankruptcy, Closes Multiple Florida Locations

Florida breakfast lovers are waking up to some bad news—several well-known breakfast restaurants across the state have closed unexpectedly.

More Than Just a Pancake Problem

From Winter Garden to Miami, longtime diners are showing up to their favorite spots only to find dark windows and locked doors.

It’s not just one or two places, either. Restaurants in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Ormond Beach, Homestead, and even the Florida Keys have all shut down, leaving many locals wondering what happened.

A Familiar Name Files for Bankruptcy

It turns out the restaurant behind these closures is none other than IHOP, the International House of Pancakes. One of the franchise groups that runs several of these locations, known as TA IHOP under Exton Operating Group Inc., has officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

This type of bankruptcy doesn’t mean they’re gone forever, but it does mean they’re struggling and trying to reorganize their business to survive. In their court filing, they reported having between $100,000 and $500,000 in assets and debts—so they’re not just short on syrup, they’re short on cash too.

Florida Locations Affected

The financial difficulties have led to the closure of several IHOP locations in Florida:

• Winter Garden: The IHOP at 13603 W Colonial Dr has permanently closed.
• Tampa: The location at 3501 E Busch Blvd is no longer in operation.
• Fort Lauderdale: The IHOP at 13650 NW 8th St has shut its doors.
• Ormond Beach: The restaurant at 190 S Atlantic Ave has ceased operations.
• Hollywood: The IHOP located at 18279 Pines Blvd, Ste A3 is closed.
• Miami: The establishment at 11927 S Dixie Hwy has permanently closed.
• Marathon: The IHOP at 6495 Overseas Hwy is no longer serving customers.
• Homestead: The location on S Homestead Blvd has shut down.

Why This Hurts More Than Just Breakfast Plans

Many people don’t just go to IHOP for pancakes. It’s where late-night chats happen, where weekend traditions start, and where birthdays get celebrated with whipped cream and sprinkles.

For families, students, and seniors, these spots were part of the weekly routine. Now, they’re just another "For Lease" sign on the side of the road.

IHOP still has nearly 1,700 locations across the U.S., but the number is dropping. Only time will tell if the remaining restaurants in Florida can keep flipping pancakes—or if they’ll go cold too.

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