Hawkers Asian Street Food files for Ch. 11 bankruptcy [Video]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Hawkers Asian Street Food, a Florida-based restaurant company, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a move it says will “protect” it from an “overreaching lender.” 

While Hawkers works under the bankruptcy filing, the company said all 15 locations — including the popular Central Avenue location in St. Petersburg’s Edge District — will remain open. 

The company explained in a news release that in early 2023, Hawkers agreed with a lender to enter into a “debt capital agreement” to grow the Hawkers brand “into a household name across the United States.” 

However, Hawkers’ owners claim that over the last two months, it became clear the lender’s goal was to “gain control” of the company. The release stated Hawkers had never missed a payment to the lender since entering into the partnership. 

By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Hawkers said it will be …