The landscape of Texas's dining scene is undergoing a noteworthy transition as Razzoo's Cajun Cafe, a staple for Cajun cuisine enthusiasts, is now under the wing of Dallas-based M Crowd Restaurant Group, the power behind the popular Mi Cocina chain. With a heritage spanning three decades, Razzoo's, which established its first location in Addison in 1991, faced the unforgiving tides of bankruptcy and was bought for $18.8 million, as the Dallas Observer reported.
In an apparent strategic move to rejuvenate the brand, M Crowd Restaurant Group has decided to close nine underperforming Razzoo's locations. This shift comes after Razzoo's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October, amidst an economic climate strained by inflation and escalated competition from national restaurant chains. Before the filing, Razzoo's operated 20 stores across Texas and North Carolina, as detailed in court documents noted by Restaurant Business Online.
But it's not all about contraction; M Crowd has articulated its vision to strengthen Razzoo's unique Cajun identity. "Razzoo's has an incredible story, and our focus is to bring that story forward in a way that is authentic, relevant and true to the brand," Diana Isaacson, Vice President of Marketing at M Crowd Restaurant Group, told the Dallas Observer. Priority adjustments include enhancing heritage dishes and revamping the beverage program. Ten Texas locations will continue to operate, serving up favorites like seafood combo platters and crawfish boils, a nod to their Cajun DNA.
Despite the closures, M Crowd's top-tier concept, Mi Cocina, remains unaffected and continues to dominate with 22 locations in North Texas and a branch in Tulsa. In 2024 alone, the Mexican casual-dining chain raked in sales of $91.6 million, according to industry data from Technomic. Edgar Guevara, CEO of M Crowd, encapsulated the group's strategy in a press release, stating, "This is a brand built on fun, flavor and community. Our goal is to honor what guests have always loved while investing in the people, food, and experiences that make Razzoo’s special," as Restaurant Business Online highlighted.
