Foxtrot's Mike LaVitola's Plan to Revitalize the Upscale Chicago Food Market

Mike LaVitola faces significant challenges ahead as he leads the revival of Foxtrot, a Chicago-based food brand. After abruptly closing several locations in April and declaring bankruptcy, Foxtrot's assets were sold to Further Point Enterprises, which appointed LaVitola as executive chairman. The company now aims to reopen stores under new management and with a refreshed strategy.

Store Reopenings and New Leadership

Foxtrot announced it will reopen several locations this summer, beginning with the Old Town and Gold Coast locations in Chicago. These stores will operate under a new company within the Foxtrot brand, led by LaVitola. LaVitola, an original co-founder and former CEO of Foxtrot, returned to lead the brand after a period of upheaval that included a merger and a change in leadership.

Initial Reactions and Challenges

The sudden store closures were unexpected for employees, vendors, and even LaVitola himself, who learned about the situation along with everyone else. The closures left many without jobs and a critical retail partner. LaVitola is now focused on rebuilding the team and engaging in substantive conversations with former employees, hoping to bring back familiar faces to the reopened locations.

Expansion Plans

Currently, around a dozen locations are either secured or nearing agreement to reopen under the new company. Before the April closures, Foxtrot operated 33 stores across several major cities, including Chicago, Austin, Dallas, and Washington, D.C. LaVitola plans to reveal more locations in the coming weeks.

Strategic Focus and Funding

LaVitola aims to concentrate on Foxtrot's existing portfolio, working closely with employees, vendors, and stakeholders to restore the brand. Previously, Foxtrot had raised $160 million to support rapid expansion, but market shifts required a new business model. The revived company will emphasize empowering individual stores rather than maintaining a large corporate structure.

Returning to Roots

LaVitola's passion for local and emerging food scenes motivated him to start Foxtrot, and he now seeks to return to those origins. While there is excitement about the brand's future, there are also many valid concerns to address. LaVitola is committed to tackling these challenges methodically to ensure Foxtrot's successful resurgence.