Old Country Buffet closes restaurant at Spring Hill Mall

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Updated: February 28, 2012 8:13AM

WEST DUNDEE — Another restaurant has closed its doors at Spring Hill Mall.

Old Country Buffets Inc. closed what it said were six underperforming restaurants in the Chicago area, including the West Dundee site at the mall, on Jan. 20.

Others were in Bradley, Countryside, Joliet, Lombard, Naperville and Northlake. The closings were in connection with the company’s bankruptcy filing.

Officials from parent company Buffets Inc. said in a press release that the filing allows them to reorganize under a restructuring agreement with lenders holding 83 percent of its senior debt. The company has about $245 million worth of outstanding debt.

Mike Andrews, chief executive officer of Buffets Inc., said in the release that the move “marks the beginning of a new era for Buffets and our many dedicated employees, as well as for our loyal guests and new customers who will enjoy our high-quality food, friendly hospitality and unbeatable value through a consistently improving dining experience.”

“With the full support of senior lenders ... we will recapitalize our balance sheet, eliminate a burdensome debt load and increase our cash flow, which in turn will strengthen our ability to invest in the improvement of our restaurants through our reconcepting program and other growth-oriented initiative,” Andrews said. “We will now be able to more effectively leverage our strong brands and operational strengths, as we make long-term investments in the future success of our core restaurants.”

Andrews said that in addition to the immediate restaurant closings, the company is seeking more-favorable lease arrangements with its landlords at other restaurant locations. To the extent those leases cannot be modified on acceptable terms, additional restaurant closings may be required, he said.

This is another blow for Spring Hill Mall, which last month saw the McDonald’s restaurant there close after 21 years in service.

David Bear of Bearco Management Co., which operated the restaurant, said the Dec. 30 closing was due to lease negotiations.

Spring Hill Mall General Manager Amy Prew said the mall currently offers eight food options, including in the food court and throughout the center.

Some of the restaurants include Sbarro, Manchu Wok, Subway and Jameson’s Charhouse. She said opening soon is Charley’s Grilled Subs.