Tex-Mex restaurant chain On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has closed all of its company-owned restaurants across the U.S.
There were 60 company-operated On The Border restaurants when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025
Many were reopened after Houston-based Pappas Restaurants acquired the chain in May 2025 following an auction process. “On The Border has already undergone a sweeping menu overhaul rooted in the same culinary standards that have defined the Pappas name across Texas for decades,” the company said in a news release on May 1. “The team has enhanced food quality, strengthened operations and elevated the overall guest experience.” The Pappas Restaurants group’s portfolio includes Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Pappas Bar-B-Q, Pappas Burger and Yiayia’s Greek Kitchen with more than 100 locations across the U.S. However, on Friday, June 12, On The Border announced that it was closing all company-owned locations and is evaluating the future of the brand, according to a statement to The Oklahoman, which is part of the USA TODAY Network.
The restaurant chain had one location in Oklahoma City and another in Tulsa. “On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has made the difficult decision to move forward with a significant transition in its restaurant operations, which will include the closing of company-owned locations by the end of day Friday, June 12, 2026,” OTB Hospitality wrote in the statement emailed to The Oklahoman and subsequently shared with USA TODAY. Cowabunga: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’-themed pizzeria is coming to this state In addition to the Oklahoma closings, restaurants in cities including Grand Rapids, Michigan, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Wichita Falls, Texas, were reported closing by the USA TODAY Network. Franchise locations in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California and South Korea will remain open as they operate independently, according to the statement.