Specialty coffee shop and boutique grocery chain Foxtrot abruptly closed all 33 of its locations throughout the United States yesterday, giving little notice to hundreds of employees who are now without work.
The Chicago-born chain, which secured a $100 million Series C investment round in 2022 and amassed at least $160 million in investments since its founding a decade ago, announced the closure yesterday.
The company, which five months ago announced plans to merge with another boutique grocer called Dom’s Kitchen & Market to form a third entity called Outpost Hospitality, plans to file for bankruptcy protection. Dom’s also announced it was closing its two locations yesterday.
“We explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts,” the companies said in a press release posted just hours after employees of the chains were informed they no longer had a job. “This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members. We want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and patronage throughout the years.”
Founded by Mike LaVitola and Taylor Bloom as an app-based delivery business, Foxtrot ultimately swelled to 33 physical locations in upscale neighborhoods in the Chicago, Washington D.C., Dallas and Austin markets.
Hailed as a modern marketplace for younger consumers while combining elements of on-demand delivery and subscriptions, Foxtrot was known to sell branded coffee products, such as La Colombe RTD drinks, while also offering a full coffee bar. The coffee bars at Foxtrot locations typically used coffee blends supplied by local-market specialty roasters.
According to the Foxtrot announcement, all customer-facing activities, including gift cards or store credit, ended effective yesterday. A report from Forbes outlines how the abrupt closure may be affecting some of Foxtrot’s vendors.
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Nick Brown Nick Brown is the editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine.
