What was once one of the most popular Tex-Mex restaurant chains in the country has now shuttered all of its company-owned locations, including its last in South Texas.
The On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, located at 5117 South Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78411, was among 60 restaurants nationwide to permanently close on Friday, June 12. As of Tuesday, June 16, just five franchise-owned locations remained open in South Dakota, Florida, Nevada, California, and South Korea, according to a statement from OTB Hospitality obtained by MySA.
“This decision follows a thorough evaluation of the business and was not made lightly. We are currently evaluating the future of the On The Border brand and exploring a range of strategic options,” company officials said.
“Our immediate focus is on supporting our team members through its transition and ensuring an orderly and respectful closure.”
However, workers were given as little as two days’ notice of the abrupt decision, according to multiple posts on social media.
“With just a 48 hour notice, I no longer have a job,” a Waco woman wrote on Facebook on Saturday, June 13.
“None of us saw this coming & it’s honestly so disappointing,” she said.
Another woman from Fort Worth also spoke of the two-day layoff notice, adding that she will miss working in her “second home.”
The sweeping shutdowns come a little more than a year after On The Border filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 4, 2025. Nearly two months later, a Georgia bankruptcy court approved the sale of On The Border to Houston-based Pappas Restaurants, which operates restaurant brands like Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, for $15.9 million, according to restaurant trade publication FSR Magazine.
Pappas celebrated the acquisition of On The Border as “a brand with deep heritage and loyal guests” that it felt was perfect for investing in. On The Border was founded by three friends in Dallas in 1982. A dozen years later, the company was sold to Brinker International, a hospitality company that owns major restaurant chains like Chili’s Grill & Bar. Ultimately, however, On The Border passed through the ownership of two private equity companies before declaring bankruptcy last year.
As recently as last month, Pappas announced it had reimagined the restaurant’s menu — best known for its sizzling fajitas and signature margaritas — to better complement other Pappas brands.
“Under Pappas ownership, On The Border has already undergone a sweeping menu overhaul rooted in the same culinary standards that have defined the Pappas name across Texas for decades,” company officials said on May 1.
Now, a message on the On The Border website thanks guests for their loyalty while lamenting the “incredibly tough decision” to close.
“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey,” the website reads.