The Biscuit Bar, a restaurant chain known for its biscuit-centric menu, has closed all its locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As of December 2023, the chain, which operated six restaurants—five in the DFW area and one in Abilene—announced the immediate closures through a series of posts on social media.
Owners Jake and Janie Burkett cited multiple challenges leading to this decision, including “rising costs, supply chain instability, and a commercial environment increasingly shaped by large institutional interests.” They indicated that these pressures created conditions that were difficult for a small business to navigate.
The Biscuit Bar opened its first location in Plano in 2018, quickly expanding to five additional sites by 2019. The ambitious concept offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, featuring a menu filled with both savory and sweet biscuit sandwiches, customizable tots, and a selection of beverages including cocktails, local beers, cold brew coffee, and kombucha on tap.
In early 2025, the Burketts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, aiming to restructure rather than abandon their business. They reported a potential sale to a respected restaurant group that seemed promising. “The sale was structured, terms were agreed upon, and the closing was set for December,” they wrote in their statement.
Despite initial optimism, not all key stakeholders supported the deal. The couple detailed that “several key financial stakeholders did not” agree to the terms necessary for the sale to proceed. This included landlords whose cooperation was crucial. Their refusal to compromise ultimately rendered the sale unfeasible, forcing the Burketts into what they described as “the most painful decision of our lives.”
As the holidays approached, the decision to close was particularly distressing. The Burketts assured their employees that “every earned wage will be paid,” but acknowledged the difficult circumstances many would face during this time. In an effort to assist affected employees, they have initiated a GoFundMe campaign, encouraging loyal customers and supporters to contribute.
The closure of Biscuit Bar marks a significant moment in the local dining scene, reflecting broader economic challenges faced by small businesses in competitive markets. The Burketts’ experience highlights the complexities of running a restaurant chain in today’s economic environment, where both operational costs and market dynamics can quickly shift.
