Rising Bankruptcy Trends in Food

Bankruptcies in food processing, distribution, and retail are stalling supplies, stranding inventory, and disrupting consumer access. BKwire’s daily filings and creditor insights help you anticipate and navigate these risks.

How BKwire Protects Your Food Supply Chain

Processors

Spot at-risk buyers early with daily alerts and creditor data, adjusting production to avoid inventory gluts.

Distributors

Secure logistics flow by tracking filings and exposures, enabling rapid supplier shifts.

Retailers

Maintain shelf stock with real-time insights into partner insolvencies, minimizing out-of-stocks.

Food bankruptcies disrupt everything - from field to shelf

When a grower, processor, or distributor fails, harvests spoil, packaging stops, and retailers face empty aisles. The collapse travels fast across the food chain, straining every link from farm to customer.

BKwire offers alerts before the food supply breaks down

Processor shutdowns, unpaid distributors, or insolvent farms can trigger sudden shortages. BKwire issues timely alerts, helping you pivot suppliers, protect margins, and keep demand fulfilled.

BKwire offers alerts before the food supply breaks down

Processor shutdowns, unpaid distributors, or insolvent farms can trigger sudden shortages. BKwire issues timely alerts, helping you pivot suppliers, protect margins, and keep demand fulfilled.

BKwire Food Bankruptcy Filings 2023-2025

2023

~60

Number of Filings

Post-pandemic cost spikes; casual dining and distributors hit hard.

2024

~50

Number of Filings

8,000 restaurant closures; chains like Red Lobster shuttered sites.

2025 (YTD)

~30

Number of Filings

Labor shortages and inflation fuel distributor restructurings.

* No credit card required

Recent Food Bankruptcies

Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors (May 2025)

Bankrupt
Largest independent U.S. wholesaler filed Chapter 11 after shutdown, citing $500M-$1B liabilities from client disputes and inventory losses, stranding suppliers like Tyson Foods.

Del Monte Foods (July 2025)

Bankrupt
138-year-old canned goods giant entered Chapter 11 with $165M financing, blaming rising debt, surplus inventory, and shifting consumer preferences away from preservatives.

Recent Medical Bankruptcies

NES Health

Bankrupt
Filed for Chapter 7, leading to liquidation after failing to pay emergency physicians, leaving hospitals understaffed and doctors without malpractice coverage.

Why the Food Industry Needs BKwire Bankruptcy Monitoring

Gap detection

Identify weak points in ingredient supply chains early in the cycle

Strategic edge

Capture buyout and partnership chances during downturns

Insight stream

Integrate Watchlist alerts for ongoing multi-zone clarity

Get Daily Alerts & Protect Your Business

Monitor bankruptcies that affect your supply chain – with timely insights.