Bennigan’s in Columbia to remain open despite corporate closings

COLUMBIA — Fans of Missouri’s only Bennigan’s, located just off U.S. 63 in Columbia, will find the restaurant alive and well after its corporate head closed many of its restaurant doors nationwide.

Metromedia Restaurant Group, Bennigan’s parent company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy Tuesday in the Eastern District of Texas, effectively shutting down all of its company-owned restaurants.

Columbia’s Bennigan’s, located at 3301 Lemone Industrial Blvd, is franchised and was not affected by Metromedia’s immediate liquidation.

“We’re open for business as usual,” Rob Hayward, general manager of Columbia’s Bennigan’s said. “We’re not affected by anything on the corporate side. We’re still receiving all our stuff and in full operation.”

The Associated Press reported that neither Metromedia nor its lawyers had given any reason for the liquidation.

Hayward said he also was not given any specific reason as to Metromedia’s corporate decision to dissolve.