Beloved Tex-Mex restaurant chain closes nationwide

It is the end of an era for On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina. The once-popular restaurant chain has officially shuttered all of its company-owned locations across the country.

Franchise Status and Local Impact

While the corporate-owned sites are closing their doors, USA Today reports that franchise locations will continue to operate in California, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, and South Korea. In Alabama, the brand's presence had already faded; the company closed its only state location at the Summit in Birmingham back in 2024.

A Difficult Departure

In a statement posted to the chain's website, the company expressed the weight of the decision: “After many years of serving our communities, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina has closed its company-owned restaurant locations. This was an incredibly tough decision. We are deeply grateful to the guests and team members who supported On the Border for so many years. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey!”

The Path to Closure

These nationwide closures arrive following a 2025 bankruptcy filing. At that time, the chain was under the ownership of Argonne Capital Group—the firm behind other major brands like IHOP, Applebee’s, and Wingstop—and managed 60 restaurants across 18 states.

Houston-based Pappas Restaurants acquired the chain in May 2025. Earlier this month, Pappas—the operator of Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Pappasito’s Cantina, and several other concepts—noted that On the Border had been working through a menu overhaul designed to improve food quality and operations. However, the decision to close the company-owned locations was announced less than two weeks after those updates were highlighted.

“We are currently evaluating the future of the On The Border brand and exploring a range of strategic options,” Pappas told USA Today. “Our immediate focus is on supporting our team members through this transition and ensuring an orderly and respectful closure.”