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Clover Food Lab emerging from bankruptcy process

Boston-area quick-service vegetarian restaurant concept sheds two units, plans growth on base of 13

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 25, 2024

1 Min Read
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Clover Food Lab, known for its quick-service vegetarian menu, emerges this week from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.Clover Food Lab

Clover Food Lab is emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this week, shutting down two locations and a warehouse and moving ahead on a base of 13 units, the company said Thursday.

Boston-based Clover Food Lab, founded in 2008 as a food truck, also has named a new CEO, Julia Wrin Piper, and a new chief marketing officer, Kiernan Schmitt, the company said.

The company filed for protection in Delaware Bankruptcy Court on Nov. 3 last year, using “Chapter 11 Subchapter 5, a relatively new process in the bankruptcy code designed specifically to help small businesses keep operating and emerge fiscally healthier in a short period of time,’ Schmitt said.

Schmitt said the company restructured operations and renegotiate leases.

“We are laser-focused on future growth and food innovation, with the ambition to reach 60 restaurants across New England in the next five years,” Schmitt said in an email.

During the bankruptcy process, he said, Clover closed its Copley Square (Boston) and Assembly Row (Somerville) restaurants, as well as a large warehouse in Dedham, Mass.

Schmitt said Clover planned to continue sourcing its supply from a network of local farms and artisanal producers for its sandwiches, platters, bowls, and soups.

Expansion will be focused on the Boston and New England area, he added.

“Clover’s five-year plan calls for an additional 47 new units, with a focus on smaller footprint restaurants in university areas and urban locations,” a company statement said. “The company will soon undertake a brand refresh to attract new customers and prepare for entrance into new markets.”

Clover Lab was founded in 2008 by Ayr Muir.

Clover Food Lab was named a Nation’s Restaurant News Breakout Brand in 2019, before the pandemic was declared in March 2020.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless

About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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