Denny's Franchisee Closes 5 Stores, Plans Bankruptcy

M15 Inc., a franchisee operating Denny's restaurants, abruptly closed five locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin on September 3, citing significant debt and cash flow pressures. The company informed employees that it lacked the revenue and cash necessary to continue operations, and it plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Denny's Corporation confirmed the closures and stated it is actively exploring options to reopen as many of the affected restaurants as possible under new operators. The franchisee's notification to employees indicated that lender collection activity had made it impossible to fund payroll, food, and supplies. M15 Inc. also warned that employees with unpaid wages might need to submit claims in bankruptcy court. The specific locations that ceased operations include restaurants in Maplewood, Burnsville, Roseville, and North Branch, Minnesota, as well as one in Hudson, Wisconsin. While these five locations have been removed from Denny's online locator, the company still operates numerous other restaurants within both states. Denny's, which completed a take-private transaction in January 2025, has characterized the closures as a franchisee-specific issue.