On Friday, December 6, 39 North Capital, the national investment firm that owns Eegee’s, announced that it has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona.
A day earlier, Eegee’s closed a few of its Tucson locations including one in Phoenix.
“While the decision to implement these measures is difficult, it’s a necessary step to preserve the brand’s legacy and protect the future of our dedicated team, loyal customers, and the local neighborhoods we’ve proudly served for over 50 years,” said Chris Westcott, Chief Executive Officer of Eegee’s LLC. “As with many in our industry, we’ve encountered unprecedented challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, as subsequent market conditions have created economic pressure throughout the restaurant industry. This restructuring will provide Eegee’s the opportunity to strengthen its operations while upholding the quality and service our customers know and love.”
It’s also said that Eegee’s has “secured financing to support ongoing operations” during its restructuring period. There’s also word that employees at the following locations will be offered a transfer to the other stores in town.
Locations that have closed in the past couple of days:
- Grant Road and Interstate 10
- 12th Avenue and Ajo Way
- Tanque Verde Road and Sabino Canyon
- Speedway Boulevard and Pantano Road
- 3510 W. Peoria Ave. in Phoenix
Additionally, the Company intends to honor all rewards programs and gift cards to ensure a smooth experience for customers.
In September 2023, Eegee’s closed three of its Tucson locations as part of a strategic plan to strengthen the company’s ability to bring Eegee’s to more communities.
Eegee’s has been a local staple for years — opening back in the early ’70s — and was sold to 39 North Capital in 2018.
Ed Irving, now the owner of Slice & Ice, started creating the original Eegee’s beverages back in 1971 — serving them from a truck. He and Bob Greenburg teamed up to bring the fast-food giant to life, Ed being the “E” and Greenburg representing the “G” in Eegee’s.
For Eegee’s locations and more information, visit eegees.com.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
