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The parent company of the popular steakhouse chain 801 Chophouse has filed for bankruptcy, but it isn't closing its locations' doors, yet.801 Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 10, citing a need to restructure debt. If the parent company can improve its financial situation amid the process, then 801 Chophouse locations may not have to close.In a statement emailed to USA TODAY on April 16, the 801 Restaurant Group said, "The companies that own and operate the restaurants are not in bankruptcy and there are no plans or need for them to file bankruptcy. The individual restaurant companies operating successfully are not impacted by the 801 Restaurant Group's Chapter 11 filing."The group said its financial issues stem primarily from the closure of 801 Fish in downtown Denver and 801 On Nicollet (formerly 801 Fish) in Minneapolis."The purpose of the Chapter 11 is to restructure these and other obligations for which 801 Restaurant Group has liability," the statement reads.The Chapter 11 case was filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Kansas and lists liabilities totaling roughly $18.7 million, according to bankruptcy documents reviewed by USA TODAY.Here's what to know about the bankruptcy filing, and what it means for 801 Chophouse locations.What is 801 Chophouse?801 Chophouse is a chain of upscale steakhouses that originated in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, according to its website. The company behind the steakhouses, the 801 Restaurant Group, is family-owned and was founded in 1993.Since its first location, 801 Restaurant Group has opened 801 Chophouses in Omaha, Nebraska; Leawood, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; St. Louis; Minneapolis; Denver; and Tysons Corner, Virginia.Beyond its "anchor 801 Chophouses," the Kansas City area-based group has added several 801 Fish and 801 Local locations.What's going to happen to 801 Chophouse locations?As the 801 Restaurant Group navigates bankruptcy, it will have to decide ways to lower its debt, which could mean closing locations.At this moment, 801 Restaurant Group's locations can continue operating as normal, including serving steaks, paying staff and honoring reservations, as it negotiates with lenders and creditors on a longer-term financial plan.In public statements and court filings, the company further indicated that daily restaurant operations are expected to continue during the restructuring, under U.S. bankruptcy law.Have any 801 Chophouses closed?As of April 16, none of the group's eight 801 Chophouse locations have closed.However, the 801 Restaurant Group's concept restaurant, 801 On Nicollet, closed abruptly before the bankruptcy filing became public, according to the Twin Cities Business Journal. The restaurant closed five months after it opened, per the outlet.In the group's statement to USA TODAY, it acknowledged the closure of 801 On Nicollet and the shuttering of 801 Fish in downtown Denver."Except for the two closed restaurants, Chapter 11 is not expected to have any impact on the remaining locations," the statement reads.Contributing: Susan Stapleton/ Des Moines Register
