A Denny’s franchise operator closed five restaurants in Minnesota and Wisconsin, with the affected locations shuttering at 7 a.m. on Sept. 3, according to local reports and industry coverage; the story centers on M15 Inc.’s abrupt shutdown of its units.
Industry outlet Nation’s Restaurant News reported the chain confirmed that four of the closed restaurants were in Minnesota and one was in Wisconsin and said it was “working with urgency alongside our franchise network to explore every viable path to reopen as many of these restaurants as we can.”
Local coverage and community outlets named the operator as M15 Inc. and said the closures hit Denny’s sites in Burnsville, Maplewood, Roseville and North Branch, Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin; Hoodline and KDHL listed the city locations affected.
Fast Company and Nation’s Restaurant News reported that the franchisee told outlets it had accumulated “unsustainable debt” and plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, leaving team members without pay at some locations while Denny’s corporate works to assess options.
Business reporting placed the closures in the context of a broader restructuring at Denny’s: Nation’s Restaurant News noted the brand closed roughly 150 underperforming restaurants in 2024 and 2025 as part of a cleanup of lower-performing units.
Local workers and customers reported they received short notice ahead of the Sept. 3 shutdown, according to community outlets; national coverage said the operator is planning bankruptcy proceedings that could be Chapter 7, which would typically liquidate assets, rather than a reorganization.
Why it matters: the closures are another challenge for Denny’s as the company pursues a turnaround plan under new ownership and leadership, a strategy Nation’s Restaurant News said is intended to raise average unit volumes and modernize the brand.
Sources
- Nation’s Restaurant News — confirmed four Minnesota and one Wisconsin closure and quoted Denny’s corporate response.
- Fast Company — reported M15 Inc. said it had accumulated “unsustainable debt” and plans to file for Chapter 7.
- Hoodline — listed the affected city locations and reported workers left without pay.
- KDHL — reported the operator closed the five restaurants at 7 a.m. on Sept. 3 and named local sites.
- Business Journal (Twin Cities) — reported on the operator’s debt and referenced the planned bankruptcy filing.
