Winstead’s, a staple of burgers and Skyscraper floats for Kansas Citians since the 1930s, has filed for bankruptcy.
Just three locations remain open. At one time the chain had about a dozen locations in the Kansas City region plus Indiana and Illinois.
READ: Kansas City Star now bankrupt
According to KCUR, “The company listed about 60 creditors, including gas, phone and electric utilities, as well as meat, dairy and other food suppliers. The company also owes more than $18,000 in taxes to the Kansas Department of Revenue and $146,000 to the Missouri Department of Revenue.”
Parent company Haddad Restaurant Group Inc., which operates Winstead’s, also filed for bankruptcy in February. The company operated the Fred P. Otts restaurants in Overland Park and on the Country Club Plaza, both of which closed last year.
The local restaurant chain’s original location, opened in 1940, is located just east of the Country Club Plaza. For many families and individuals it was the go-to spot for a quick bite after a Broadway show, shopping or people watching and the annual Christmas light celebration on the Plaza.
The burger joint was made famous by its steakburgers, which were ground on the spot, and ice cream.
Nabil Haddad, a local Christian who supported many area ministries not-for-profits, purchased the restaurant in 1988 saving it from bankruptcy at the time.
The company closed all locations recently keeping just three locations: 4971 W. 135th Street in Leawood; 10711 Roe in Overland Park, Kansas; and the original location just east of the Plaza.
The company listed nearly $1.5 million in debts and $65,000 in assets.
If you’re a fan of the Skyscraper, get five friends and enjoy the float before they’re gone.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
