Così (restaurant)


Così, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an American fast-casual restaurant chain that is known for its homemade flatbread. The name comes from the opera Così fan tutte, which was a favorite of the original owner. As of December 29, 2019 the company had 66 locations in New York, Washington D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, as well as Costa Rica. On December 30, 2019, Cosi abruptly closed a number of locations in several states. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020.

History

The original Così restaurant was opened in 1989 by Drew Harre in Paris, France.
In 1996, Shep and Jay Wainwright opened the first Cosi in the United States, in New York.
In October 1999, Così merged with Xando.
In November 2002, the company became a public company via an initial public offering.
In July 2003, Kevin Armstrong was named chief executive officer of the company.
In June 2010, Così sold its District of Columbia stores to Capitol C Restaurants as franchises. Capitol C is the owner of Qdoba Mexican Grill.
In March 2014, Cosi's largest and most successful franchisee, RJ Dourney was voted by Cosi's board of directors to the position of CEO and Director.
In August 2016, CEO RJ Donnelly was fired.
In September 2016, the company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy reorganization and closed stores.
In October 2016, the company's shares were de-listed from the NASDAQ.
On October 11, 2016, Cosi announced that it is seeking buyers for "substantially all of its assets."
In May 2017, the company emerged from bankruptcy under the ownership of MILFAM II L.P., AB Value Partners, LP, AB Value Management LLC and AB Opportunity Fund LLC.
On February 25, 2020, Così once again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.