A 73-year-old Denny's franchisee operating seven locations in South Florida has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as the restaurant sector struggles with declining sales and foot traffic. DBJ US Corp., incorporated in 2018, employed between 210 and 350 workers last year.

The filing reflects broader challenges across the breakfast dining segment, following similar moves by chains like Taste of Belgium. Industry data shows rising numbers of operators reporting lower same-store sales and customer traffic, with 44% reporting drops in November 2025.

Denny’s itself is undergoing a major shift, having gone private in January after a $620 million sale. While the parent company plans to close 70 to 90 locations this year, it’s unclear if DBJ US will shut any stores during restructuring.