Jakarta Aktual – 17 June 2026 | On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a beloved Tex-Mex chain, has closed most of its company-owned locations across the United States. The news was announced on the company’s website, stating that the decision was incredibly tough and that the chain is deeply grateful to its guests and team members who have supported On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina for many years.
The chain, which was founded in 1982, had been struggling financially and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2025. Despite efforts to revamp its menu and operations, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina was unable to recover and has now closed around 60 of its company-owned locations.
However, it’s worth noting that some franchise locations of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina will remain open, including those in California, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, and South Korea. These locations are independently owned and will continue to operate under the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina brand.
Pappas Restaurants, the company that acquired On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina in 2025, has not released a statement on what will happen to the employees who worked at the closed locations or whether the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina brand will continue in any form.
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina was known for its wide selection of fajitas, margaritas, tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, and its closure will be felt by many fans of the chain. The company’s website still lists the remaining locations, and customers can visit those locations to experience the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina menu one last time.
As the restaurant industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina was unable to keep up with the changing trends and consumer preferences. Despite its efforts to revamp its menu and operations, the chain was ultimately unable to recover from its financial struggles.
The closure of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a reminder that even well-established brands can struggle to stay afloat in a competitive market. As the company moves forward, it’s unclear what the future holds for the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina brand, but one thing is certain: the chain will be deeply missed by its loyal customers.
In conclusion, the closure of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is a significant loss for the restaurant industry and a reminder that even beloved brands can struggle to stay afloat. While the company’s franchise locations will remain open, the closure of its company-owned locations marks the end of an era for the On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina chain.
