2 NJ Houlihan’s shutter amid bankruptcy

Two New Jersey Houlihan’s locations permanently shuttered their doors on Dec. 29 after the chain’s holding company HRI Holding Corp. filed bankruptcy in November.

Houlihan’s Woodbridge and Houlihan’s Hasbrouck Heights both announced their closings in nearly identical Facebook posts.

“There is never a good time to close a restaurant, but due to the wind down of the bankruptcy estate, the last day of business for both of these locations was Dec. 28,” said Matt Manning, chief restructuring officer for HRI, in a statement. “HRI is doing everything possible to minimize the impact to affected team members by working to place them at different continuing locations and reaching out to local restaurant companies on behalf of the team members.”

“On behalf of the entire team, thank you for your support and friendship over the years. We do hope to see you at one of our other locations,” the Facebook posts read.

Some locations in other states also closed Sunday. Several locations throughout the state remain open, including locations in Bayonne, Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Fairfield, Holmdel, New Brunswick, Paramus, Parsippany, Ramsey and Secaucus.

Houston-based Landry’s Inc., the parent company to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and Joe’s Crab Shack, won a $40 million bid for Houlihan’s assets earlier this month. Houlihan’s website currently lists 45 restaurants open across 17 states.