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Bennigan's Owner Hopes To Reopen 3 Or More Locally

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By MICHAEL SASSO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

TAMPA - A local Bennigan's franchisee is hoping to reopen at least three, and possibly more, local restaurants that closed in July when the chain filed for bankruptcy.

Mitch Walker, who owns the Bennigan's at Channelside Bay Plaza in Tampa, said he recently met with fellow franchisees in Chicago. He said the investment firm that controls the Bennigan's franchising system, Atalaya Capital Management of New York and Atlanta, appears eager to allow franchisees to reopen some restaurants that closed when Bennigan's parent company, S&A Restaurant Corp., filed for bankruptcy and liquidation in late July.

Walker said he is considering reopening locations on Tyrone Boulevard in St. Petersburg and Dale Mabry Highway and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa.

He said he is considering expanding that plan to include restaurants in Clearwater and on Fowler Avenue in Tampa. He cautioned that he needs to reach an agreement with a finance company and win the approval of the bankruptcy trustee.

Walker gave no timetable for reopening the restaurants.

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