TooJay’s deli files for bankruptcy

Company leaders cite ‘devastating economic impact’ of pandemic

The owner of the popular South Florida-based TooJay’s deli, bakery and restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from creditors.

The decision by the company’s management and board of directors “is the direct result of the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our restaurants throughout Florida,” president and CEO Max Piet said in a statement.

“This course of action will enable us to remain open to serve our communities with the same great food and service we are known for,” the statement said. “As we learn of the reopening plans for our dining rooms, we will rehire more employees and expand our services as restrictions allow.”

No decision has been made on whether to permanently close any of the company’s locations, which remain open for takeout, curbside, delivery, catering and grocery-togo services, spokeswoman Jane Grant said. Two locations, at Polo Club Shoppes in Boca Raton and at Pembroke Centre in Pembroke Pines, were temporarily closed after all restaurants in Florida were ordered to close their dining rooms last month, Grant said.

Companies typically file for Chapter 11 when they plan to remain in operation but need time to restructure their debts. The filing enables companies to remain in operation while they work through the courts to develop long-term plans that satisfy their creditors.

In its petition filed in federal bankruptcy court of the Southern District of Florida, parent company TooJay’s Management LLC reported assets between $50 million and $100 million and liabilities ranging from $10 million to $50 million. An affiliated company, TJ Acquisition LLC, is also filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The company, which was founded in 1981 with a single location in Palm Beach, currently operates 16 restaurants in South Florida, according to its website. Among them are three in Boca Raton and one each in Coral Springs, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Dania Beach, Boynton Beach, Hallandale Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Jupiter.

The chain also operates 14 locations in other regions of the state, including three in The Villages and six in the Orlando area.

According to its filing, the company recently secured a $6.4 million Payment Protection Program loan through Truist Bank.

Creditors listed in TooJay’s bankruptcy petition include Acme Smoked Fish of Florida LLC, Pompano Beach; American Food Equipment & Supply Inc., Orlando; Brookside Equity Partners, Stamford, Conn.; Coral Springs Trade Center Ltd., Orlando; and Monroe Capital Corp., Chicago.

A list of unsecured creditors submitted with the filing include seven landlords owed a total $241,956. Other creditors include U.S. Food Service, Atlanta. ($1.9 million); Three Atlanta LLC, a media company ($109,076); Premier Produce Central Florida LLC ($91,866); American Express Credit Card ($86,899); and Scalisi Produce Co. of West Palm Beach ($56,904).

TooJay’s was described by former South Florida Sun Sentinel food critic John Tanasychuk in 2003 as an updated version of a classic New York-style delicatessen. Noting that TooJay’s “never serves a dry sandwich,” he was particularly impressed with the chain’s “flavorful” beef brisket sandwiches, “well-roasted but never stringy like some delis serve.”

In addition to sliced deli sandwiches, the chain serves homestyle favorites like turkey dinners, shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and a wide range of breakfast choices. Customers also can order sliced meats, cheeses, salads, desserts and pastries from the amply-stocked deli counters.

The filing followed Metro Diner’s announcement on Monday that it’s permanently closing its locations in Pembroke Pines, Tamarac and Coral Springs.