Brigham's could file for bankruptcy this week

I don't know where the Herald got the figure from. I count 26 on the Brigham's web site but that includes the closed Boston and Arlington stores, as well as 7 independents such as Helen's and iScreamWorks.

If all the other Brigham's-branded stores on the website are still open, it's at most a 17-store chain now. At least three of them are independently owned -- Arlington Heights, Belmont, and Wakefiled. Since that subgroup seems to be successful, I'd love to seem them bid on what remains of the company in a bankruptcy auction.

The Globe may have hurriedly put this story up to catch up to the Herald:
Brigham's restaurants look to bankruptcy protection The story says that the Brigham's company owns 13 restaurants, while 14 others are independently owned. (That still adds up to 27, which is one more than I can find on their website.)

Kathy Hogan, a waitress at the Arlington Brigham's for 36 years, said a co-worker called her Friday morning to say sheriff's deputies were there to evict everyone and change the locks.

Hogan, 61, said she hasn't been paid for the "past couple of weeks" and that the shop manager had to pay for ice cream and food with cash from the register. A crack in the storefront window was fixed with duct tape, she said. Hogan said despite the restaurant's shabby appearance, regulars remained faithful. Some were like family, she said, and she regrets that she did not have a chance to say goodbye.

"They way they did it was terrible," Hogan said.