New Chapter 11 Filing - MAC Acquisition LLC (aka Romano's Macaroni Grill)

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MAC Acquisition LLC (aka Romano's Macaroni Grill)

  • 10/18/17 Recap: Back in 2015, Ignite Restaurant Group offloaded Romano's Macaroni Grill to RedRock Partners LLC in an attempt to bolster its liquidity and avoid bankruptcy. It failed: the company filed for bankruptcy earlier this year (case summary here). Perhaps that had something to do with the fact that the sale was for a measly $8mm, "a price akin to dumping your unwanted junk on Craigslist." Now, Romano's Macaroni Grill has filed for bankruptcy to restructure its balance sheet and further an operational restructuring, including dealing with lessor damage claims arising out of terminated leases (the company closed 37 company-operated locations in 2017; it has 93 company-owned restaurants remaining exclusive of non-debtor franchises). The company blames its chapter 11 filing on (i) the inability to generate sufficient cashflow, sales and margin to cover operating expenses let alone service its debt (TTM EBITDA as of 8/17 was -$12mm), and (ii) increased costs for both commodities and labor. We note that this provision in the company's bankruptcy papers is indicative of a larger trend befalling the casual dining segment: "The Debtors’ operations and financial performance have been adversely affected by a number of economic factors, but perhaps most notably by an overall downturn for the casual dining industry. The preferences of such customers have shifted to cheaper, faster alternatives. On the other end of the spectrum, there is a trend among younger customers to spend their disposable income at non-chain “experience-driven” restaurants, even if slightly more expensive." In other words, this bankruptcy is partly Evan Spiegel (Snapchat, $SNAP) and Kevin Systrom's (Instagram, $FB) fault. The company has a restructuring support agreement with its major stakeholders to pursue a dual-track bankruptcy via a plan of reorganization and a potential sale upon the hiring of an investment banker (heads up: bankers!!). The company has secured a junior $5mm DIP credit facility from Raven Capital Management LLC. P.S. Nothing to see here for the REITS: Simon Property Group has made a notice of appearance in the matter. 
  • Jurisdiction: D. of Delaware (Judge Walrath)
  • Capital Structure: $12mm RCF (Bank of Colorado), $2.5mm TL (Bank of Colorado), $3.5mm LOC (Bank of Colorado), $5mm Funding Loan 
  • Company Professionals:
    • Legal: Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP (Jeffrey Krause, Michael Neumeister, Emily Speak, Brittany Schmeltz) & (local) Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor LLP (Michael Nestor, Edmon Morton, Ryan Bartley, Elizabeth Justison)
    • Financial Advisor/Chief Restructuring Officer: Mackinac Partners LLC (Nishant Machado, Pasquale Maturo)
    • Claims Agent: Donlin Recano & Company Inc. (*click on company name above for free docket access)
  • Other Parties in Interest:
    • DIP Lender: Raven Capital Management LLC
      • Legal: Winston & Strawn LLP (Justin Rawlins, Carey Schreiber, Eric Sagerman) & (local) Ashby & Geddes PA (Gregory Taylor, Stacy Newman)
    • Bank of Colorado
      • Legal: Shaw Fishman Glantz & Towbin LLC (Thomas Horan, Johnna Darby, Brian Shaw) & (local) Markus Williams Young & Zimmermann LLC (James Markus)
    • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors
      • Legal: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP (Eric Wilson, Jason Adams, Lauren Schlussel) & (local) Bayard PA (Justin Alberto, Gregory Flasser)

Updated 11/8/17