Rubios Restaurants, a Carlsbad-based fast-casual Mexican-food chain, filed for bankruptcy in Delaware on Monday.

Rubios confirmed the filing In a statement released Monday:

“Rubio’s Restaurants … The Company has announced that it has entered into a comprehensive financial restructuring agreement with its sponsor, Mill Road Capital, and its lender, Golub Capital, to manage the funds. Voluntary applications for protection were made under Chapter.

The network employs more than 3,500 people in California, Arizona and Nevada and has more than 150 locations. It operates half a dozen restaurants in its hometown of Carlsbad and dozens of restaurants around San Diego County.

Rubio’s Spoke Woman Anita-Marie Lori said Monday that the company wants to stress out to diners that “our restaurants are open as usual.”

The company said in a statement Monday that more than two dozen locations closed during the outbreak were in Florida and Colorado. Other “small number” restrictions that are still closed due to pandemic can be reopened as they are flexible.

Company founder Ralph Rubio maintained a positive tone in a quote from Monday’s statement.

“Covid-19, like most businesses, has greatly affected Rubio, and I am proud of how we have responded to this challenge. Our investments in critical digital technologies in 2019, including online ordering, a mobile app, a new loyalty program and Rubio’s delivery, have allowed us to move faster under different state and county controls. . This reorganization plan creates the long-term financial stability that will continue to serve our communities for years to come. ”

According to Company Bio, the first Rubios opened its doors to Mission Bay in 1983.