Sugar Factory has permanently closed at least five U.S. restaurants since early 2026, in Miami, Chicago, Rosemont, Jacksonville and Detroit. The closures leave Illinois and Michigan without a location; reasons varied by site, with some not publicly disclosed.
At Jacksonville, inspection records showed numerous health-code violations and temporary shutdowns tied to rodent and insect activity, FirstCoast News reported. Rosemont’s closure came amid financial difficulties and a legal dispute over ownership, its franchise agreement and lease, the Daily Herald reported; no public reason was given for the Chicago or Detroit closures.
The article cites broader restaurant cost pressures but does not establish them as the reason for these closures. U.S. food-away-from-home prices rose 3.4% in the 12 months through August 2026, and the National Restaurant Association said 33% of operators were unprofitable in the first half of 2026.
