Foxpocalypse? Foxtrot, Dom’s Kitchen & Market Shutter Stores Amidst Bankruptcy Rumors

Outfox Hospitality’s future is unclear today after growing reports indicate that the company has shuttered all its Dom’s and Foxtrot stores today with potential bankruptcy looming.

Rumors began to swirl yesterday around the Chicago-based company – created via the merger of Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market in November – when industry newsletter Snaxshot, citing multiple anonymous sources, reported rumblings of impending closure.

Signs on individual stores indicated they were closed as of today. Outfox has not responded to a request for comment directly; a post on Dom’s website said that the company has “explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option despite good faith and exhaustive efforts.”

“This decision has not been made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on you, our loyal customers, as well as our dedicated team members,” the company said in a statement. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and patronage throughout the years.”

Foxtrot operated 18 locations in Texas, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., along with 15 stores in the Chicagoland area. The company, which offered a mix of fast delivery, upscale convenience, and gourmet grab-and-go foodservice, previously announced plans to open 50 stores by the end of 2024.

Calls this morning to multiple stores either went directly to voicemail or were already out of service; a worker at the Milwaukee & Damen Foxtrot location in Chicago said they were unsure if the store would remain open during normal hours today. Someone who answered the phone at Foxtrot’s Mount Vernon store in D.C. said they were told by leadership on the phone this morning “to lock the doors” and permanently close the store.

Meanwhile, Lex Evans, founder of artisanal brownie company Lexington Bakes, told Nosh they had not received their normal PO yesterday but otherwise had been receiving them regularly as of last week.

The closure took place just two months after Outfox Hospitality CEO Liz Williams left the modern grocery chain to take on the chief executive role of fast-casual Mexican food chain El Pollo Loco. Williams was replaced by former Whole Foods executive Rob Twyman.

An investor contacted by BevNET  noted today that they had been caught by surprise as much as the rest of the public, stating that they had received notice around the time of the corporate posting. The Outfox team hadn’t been able to raise enough money or cut enough costs quickly enough to keep the business going, the investor said.

Founded in 2021, Dom’s Kitchen and Market is the brainchild of Chicago grocery veteran Bob Mariano, who led Midwest supermarket chain Mariano’s for nearly 14 years. The company raised $100 million in January 2021.

Outfox was cited in February as a “Top 10 Brand to Watch in 2024” by Placer.ai, citing its upscale experience, product assortment, wine curation program and dining options.

This is a developing story.