A Florida Village Inn franchisee operating three restaurants across the Tampa Bay region filed for bankruptcy protection after a severe revenue decline tied to the destructive 2024 hurricane season.

The filings cover Village Inn restaurants in Land O' Lakes, Brandon, and Zephyrhills and identify each entity as an affiliate under common management.

In separate case management summaries filed with the court, managing member Lloyd D. Lehan IV attributed the financial distress to "two hurricanes and several storms" that struck Florida in autumn 2024.

"There was drastic reduction in revenue as a result of those weather conditions," the filings state.

Among the three locations, the Zephyrhills restaurant generated the highest annual revenue in 2025 at approximately $2.08 million. Land O' Lakes reported roughly $1.96 million in annual revenue, while the Brandon location generated approximately $1.45 million.

Despite those sales volumes, each restaurant accumulated substantial liabilities.

The Land O' Lakes location entered bankruptcy with approximately $156,000 in unsecured claims and nearly $79,000 in tax obligations, including $48,500 owed to the Florida Department of Revenue and almost $30,000 in payroll taxes owed to the IRS. The restaurant employed 32 workers at the time of filing and reported roughly $80,000 in assets, including food inventory, a franchise agreement, and restaurant equipment.

Brandon's financial picture was even more strained. Court filings show approximately $416,000 in unsecured claims, including a $141,522 construction-related obligation tied to a buildout project. The location also owed more than $43,000 in combined payroll and sales taxes. The restaurant employed 29 workers at the time of filing.

The largest filing belongs to the Zephyrhills restaurant. Documents show the location carrying a disputed $211,500 obligation to Forward Financing in addition to debts owed to First Citizens Bank and supplier US Foods. The restaurant also reported more than $116,000 in tax obligations spread across the IRS, Florida Department of Revenue, and Pasco County Tax Collector. Zephyrhills employed 33 at the time of filing.

Sysco and US Foods appear among the largest creditors in multiple filings.

None of the restaurants own their real estate. Each location operates from leased commercial space, according to court documents.

A manager at the Land O' Lakes location told TheStreet that each restaurant is still operating and won't close.

Village Inn was founded in 1958, and is currently owned by BBQ Holdings, also the parent of brands like Famous Dave's, Granite City Food & Brewery, Bakers Square, and Tahoe Joe's Steakhouse.

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