Full Breakdown
Mountain Mike’s Franchisee Rogue Fare LLC Files for Chapter 11 Amid Industry Pressures
7/7/2026, 2:56:11 PM
Chapter 11 Filing by Rogue Fare LLC
Rogue Fare LLC, the Medford, Oregon franchisee operating five Mountain Mike’s Pizza locations in Klamath Falls, Grants Pass, Roseburg and two Medford sites, filed a Chapter 11 petition on July 1, 2026 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon. The petition lists assets of up to $50,000 and liabilities estimated between $1 million and $10 million.
Industry Context and Mountain Mike’s Growth
The filing comes as the U.S. pizza market confronts higher prices and weaker demand. Technomic’s 2025 Pizza Consumer Trend Report shows the average pizza price rose to $17.61, a 3 % increase and over 15 % in five years, with 35 % of consumers ordering less often because of cost. Major chains are closing stores: Yum! Brands’ Pizza Hut plans to shutter 250 locations in the first half of 2026, and Papa John’s intends to close 200 by 2026. In contrast, Mountain Mike’s opened 24 restaurants in six markets in 2025—including its 300th outlet in Las Vegas—and targets 25 openings in 2026 and 100 sites across 16 states.
Rogue Fare LLC and Its Creditors
The petition lists six unsecured creditors: First Bank of the Lake (owed > $2.9 million), First Internet Bank of Indiana (> $1.5 million), the U.S. Small Business Administration (> $120,000), Credit Associates Inc. (> $63,000), Parifin-DoorDash (> $13,000) and Performance Food Group (> $10,000).
Financial Snapshot
Rogue Fare’s reported assets are capped at $50,000, while its liabilities are estimated between $1 million and $10 million, far exceeding its assets. The franchisee operates five Mountain Mike’s restaurants in Oregon.
Official Statements & Responses
The Chapter 11 petition was signed by James Smith, the sole member of Rogue Fare LLC, and is being handled by attorney Keith Y Boyd. The filing provides no explicit reason for the bankruptcy but acknowledges that liabilities substantially exceed assets.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts note that price sensitivity is eroding pizza sales. Technomic’s report emphasizes that taste, value, convenience and variety are key to attracting customers, underscoring the difficulty of drawing diners amid rising costs.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The bankruptcy filing cites a liability range of $1 million to $10 million, while the listed creditor amounts total roughly $4.6 million, leaving an unexplained gap. Asset details are limited to a maximum of $50,000, with no further breakdown.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Taste, value, convenience and variety are prime factors in capturing potential pizza customers, according to Technomic’s 2025 Pizza Consumer Trend Report,” — The Sun
- “Founded in 1978 in Palo Alto, the company offers a range of hand-prepared pizzas.” — WhatNow.com
What’s Next
Rogue Fare LLC will stay under Chapter 11 while the court supervises a reorganization plan. Mountain Mike’s owners Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme continue expanding, with 25 new openings slated for 2026 and a pipeline of 100 sites across 16 states. The bankruptcy’s resolution could affect the five Oregon locations and shape future franchise agreements.
