What Happened To Foxtrot? Know More About Foxtrot

What Happened To Foxtrot?

Foxtrot & Dom's Kitchen, a Chicago-based grocery chain, announced Tuesday that it will be closing all of its stores effective April 23, 2024, six months after announcing a merger with Foxtrot Market.

"We are very sorry to inform you that after much deliberation and consideration, we have decided to close all of our Dom's stores, as well as Foxtrot stores, effective Tuesday," the company said in a statement. "We have explored many options to continue the business, but have been unable to find a viable option despite our best efforts."

The closures affect Dom’s locations in Chicago, as well as all 33 of Foxtrot’s stores in Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Texas, and Washington, D.C.All Dom’s and Foxtrot stores were shuttered on Tuesday, with delivery stopped, mobile apps disabled, and credit cards cut off. All Foxtrot accounts and member perks were also voided.

The announcement comes after Dom’s Kitchen & Market announced in November that it would be merging with Foxtrot under a new entity, Outfox Hospitality, known as Dom’s.

"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. We want to express our sincerest gratitude for your support and patronage throughout the years. It has been our highest honor to elevate the everyday and create a remarkable shopping experience for people who love food as much as we do. It has been a privilege serving you and being a part of your everyday lives," the companies said in a statement.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6HFkJ1OO5G/

A Warning Note For the Employers

According to Rebecca Haller, a former Foxtrot employee who worked at the Wrigley field location for one and a half years, she had a hunch that something was amiss on Tuesday morning. She was at the store when a company email arrived informing her that she was no longer on Foxtrot's payroll as of midday. Haller said she first learned the news from colleagues and had been too preoccupied to read the full email. “The decision was not made lightly, and we understand the impact it will have on each and every one of you.”

“We understand that this news may come as a shock, and we want to assure you that we are committed to do our best to support you through this transition,” the email said.

Foxtrot

Foxtrot is a convenience store chain that opened in Chicago in 2015. It also operated as a cafés, wine bar, and third place. Foxtrot offered locally sourced products, including wines (for on-premises and off-premises consumption), as well as a selection of staple grocery items. The chain's stores were located in Washington D.C, Dallas, Austin, Chicago, and elsewhere. On April 23, 2024, Foxtrot abruptly shuttered all of its locations. The following day, the company filed for bankruptcy.

The Merging

Foxtrot and Dom's Kitchen announced in November 2023 that they would be merging under a new company, Outfox Hospitality, with the deal expected to close before the end of 2020. The companies did not disclose financial terms at the time, but said the merger would improve the customer experience and improve the retail industry.

The brands kept their names, but planned to offer crossover services, such as Foxtrot specials in Dom's stores. Outfox Hospitality is expected to have Liz Williams as its chief operating officer, while Dom's CEO Don Fitzgerald will remain on a temporary basis.

Both Dom’s and Foxtrot stores were well-known for their smaller footprint compared to other mass-market grocery chains. They were typically found in upscale neighborhoods, offering a curated selection of food and drinks as well as online pickup or delivery.Bob Mariano, Foxtrot’s co-founder and CEO, and Outfox Hospitality co-chairman declined to comment. The companies did not specify in their statement what prompted the closures, and it appears that they did not file for bankruptcy.