Des Moines-based 801 Restaurant Group, the operator behind 801 Chophouse, is heading into Chapter 11 and has already pulled the plug on one of its two Minneapolis restaurants. The more laid-back downtown spinoff, 801 on Nicollet, closed suddenly after a short run that started late last year, leaving diners and staff wondering what this means for downtown’s dining comeback and existing reservations.
Chapter 11 filing
According to Twin Cities Business Journal, 801 Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 10, 2026. The outlet reports that the case covers the parent holding company behind the 801 Chophouse brand and its related concepts, putting the business into a court-supervised process to restructure its debts while it weighs next steps. It is a notable move for a group that only recently planted a flag in downtown Minneapolis.
Downtown location shutters
The end for 801 on Nicollet arrived with little public warning. The Star Tribune reports that closure notices appeared on both entrances, and an OpenTable message told would-be guests the restaurant was permanently closed “due to extenuating circumstances.” The concept had replaced the company’s 801 Fish brand and debuted last fall after a remodel of the space. The Star Tribune also notes that the restaurant’s social media accounts and some online listings disappeared following the shutdown.
801's Minneapolis footprint
Even with the Chapter 11 filing in play, the company’s own website still lists a Minneapolis 801 Chophouse on Nicollet Mall, complete with locations and contact details for the broader group. Based on the Minneapolis listings, reservations at the Chophouse itself still appear to be bookable online while the reorganization process unfolds.
Local context: Nicollet turnover
In the background is a downtown restaurant scene that has been in constant motion. Coverage of Nicollet Mall and nearby blocks has tracked a steady turnover of concepts as operators chase shifting foot traffic and office patterns. Outlets including the Star Tribune and community food site RacketMN have chronicled a run of openings, pivots and closures that set the stage for 801’s latest changes.
What Chapter 11 means
Chapter 11 generally lets a company keep running as a “debtor in possession” while it negotiates with creditors and develops a plan to reorganize, and it automatically pauses most collection efforts. For a straightforward breakdown of how that process works, see the Chapter 11 explainer from Britannica.
What diners and staff should know
If you had a reservation at 801 on Nicollet, you will want to double-check your booking app or reach out to 801 Chophouse directly to confirm your plans, since the Chophouse’s online listings remain active. We will keep an eye on court documents and local reporting for updates on the restructuring, any fallout for employees and leases, and future statements from the company.
