The Little Mint, Inc., operator and franchisor of Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries, filed for Chapter 11 protection on December 31, 2024 in the Eastern District of North Carolina (Case No. 24-04510) after facing a combination of failed growth financing, pandemic-era disruptions, labor shortages, inflation-driven cost increases (equipment costs rose from ~$225K to $375K+ per location), reduced bank lending following the SVB collapse, and internal accounting failures resulting in unpaid taxes and vendor obligations. At filing, the debtor operated 71 locations (14 corporate, 57 franchised) across six southeastern states with approximately $11 million in secured debt and $5.8 million in unsecured obligations. The case involved significant lien priority disputes among secured creditors asserting claims in revenue-generating intangibles (franchise fees/royalties) and tangible collateral, particularly Johnson Breeders (claiming priority in accounts/general intangibles), Performance Food Group (PACA and secured claims), SBA, and Austin Business Finance. The debtor obtained authorization to use cash collateral and continued operations under multiple interim orders imposing budget controls (10% variance cap), monthly reporting, replacement liens, and scheduled adequate protection payments. The amended plan was confirmed on November 6, 2025, providing detailed amortization terms for secured creditors and a multi-stream distribution package for general unsecured creditors including causes-of-action recoveries, a $500K base payment over five years, 25% of free cash flow for 2026-2030, and 25% of liquidity event proceeds by December 31, 2030. The plan became effective December 1, 2025, with the debtor reorganizing as a going concern and the sole shareholder Kenneth K. Moore retaining his equity interest. As of January 12, 2026, the debtor reported $3.36 million in Q4 2025 disbursements, $184,626 in professional fees, and an estimated case closing date of Q4 2026.
