On the Border closes Neshaminy Mall, Pennsylvania store
On the Border is closing its only Pennsylvania store at Neshaminy Mall. The Mexican restaurant chain has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after disclosing $25 million in debt.
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a Tex-Mex restaurant chain, has closed all of its restaurants across the United States.
When On the Border filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025, it operated 60 On the Border restaurants. Many reopened after Houston-based Papa’s Restaurants acquired the chain in May 2025 through an auction process.
“On the Border has already undergone a radical menu overhaul rooted in the same culinary standards that have defined the Pappas name across Texas for decades,” the company said in a May 1 news release, adding, “The team has improved the quality of our food, strengthened our operations and improved the overall guest experience.” Pappas Restaurants Group’s portfolio includes Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappas Bar-BQ, Pappas Burger and Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen, with more than 100 locations across the United States.
But on Friday, June 12, On the Border announced it was closing all of its stores and evaluating the future of the brand, according to a statement to The Oklahoman, part of the USA TODAY Network. The restaurant chain had one location in Oklahoma City and another in Tulsa.
“On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has made the difficult decision to proceed with a significant transition in restaurant operations, which includes closing our company locations by the end of the day on Friday, June 12, 2026,” OTB Hospitality said in a statement emailed to The Oklahoman and later shared with USA TODAY.
In addition to the Oklahoma closures, restaurants in cities including Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Wichita Falls, Texas have also closed, USA TODAY Network reported.
Franchise locations in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California and South Korea will operate independently and remain open, the statement said.
On the Border also announced the closure of its stores on its website, writing, “After many years of serving our community, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has decided to close our restaurant locations. This was an incredibly difficult decision to make. We are deeply grateful to our guests and team members who have supported On the Border over the years. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey.”
On the Border’s bankruptcy in 2025 led to closure.
The company was founded in 1982 as On the Border South Texas Café and was “purposed to share bold border-style cuisine with our customers,” Jonathan Tibbs, OTB Holdings’ chief restructuring officer, said in a 2025 bankruptcy court filing.
The chain is one of several large casual dining chains to file for bankruptcy in the past two years, including Hooters, Red Lobster and TGI Fridays.
On the Border closed more than 70 stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. “On the Border has been weighed down by macroeconomic factors that have adversely affected the company in recent years. Casual dining restaurants have been severely impacted by consumer sensitivity to eating out versus staying indoors,” Tibus said in court records.
However, many were reopened after Papas Restaurants acquired the chain. The company said in a statement that the June 12 closure was “the result of a thorough evaluation of our business and was not made lightly.”
“We are currently evaluating the future of the On the Border brand and considering various strategic options,” the company said in a statement. “Our immediate focus is to support our team members through this transition and ensure an orderly and respectful closure.”
Contributors: Anna Barboza, Dan Basso, Fernando Cervantes, Jenna Prestininzi, Ben ShapiroMike Snyder is a national trends news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, and X, and email him at: mike snyder & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
