One of Wilmington’s most popular local restaurant groups has filed for bankruptcy, but its owner said Thursday that the Chapter 11 filings are a necessary step.

It's business as usual at Indochine restaurants in the Wilmington area, said owner Solange “Niki” Thompson. “It just needs to be reorganized in a more efficient way,” she said, adding that she hopes customers continue to support her establishments through the process.

According to bankruptcy documents filed earlier this month, the creditor with the largest unsecured claim against Indochine limited liability companies is North State Bank, with a debt of nearly $2.4 million. The business also owes $1.5 million to the SBA, according to court documents.

Thompson’s establishments include Thai-Vietnamese restaurant Indochine at 7 Wayne Drive off Market Street in Wilmington; Indochine Express locations in Wilmington, Leland and Southport; and Asian fusion restaurant Café Chinois on South College Road.

A resident of Wilmington since 1975, Thompson opened Indochine in 2000.
 
"Twenty years later, Thompson began to expand. In less than six months, she stepped out with two new establishments," according to a previous Greater Wilmington Business Journal article. "The first was Indochine Express on South College Road in Monkey Junction, which opened on the cusp of 2021. Soon after, Thompson followed with Café Chinois in Fulton Station at the intersection of South 17th Street and South College Road."

According to the article, Thompson's goal with Indochine Express is to offer a satellite location with a smaller menu but one that is still representative of Indochine's Asian fusion flair.

The goal of Café Chinois is "to highlight Asian cuisine, such as pho, not on the menus of Indochine or Indochine Express," the article stated.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy "generally provides for reorganization, usually involving a corporation or partnership. A Chapter 11 debtor usually proposes a plan of reorganization to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time. People in business or individuals can also seek relief in chapter 11," according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts.

Bankruptcy filings show the restaurant group has between 1 and 49 creditors with liabilities ranging from $1 million to $10 million. The restaurant's assets range between $0 and $50,000.

The Indochine entities have until Jan. 2, 2025, to file a Chapter 11 plan and disclosure statement, according to the filings.