Chef Jose Garces opened his first restaurant in 2005. This second-generation Latin American James Beard Award winner and Iron Chef built over 30 distinct restaurant and catering concepts from his Philadelphia base, mainly in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Events Leading to Bankruptcy: When an Atlantic City casino filed Chapter 11 and suddenly ceased operations, the four restaurants Garces had created there using borrowed money crushed the operation's cash flow, and the company could not cut back expenses in time to prevent the Chapter 11 filing (District of New Jersey (Camden) ((Case No.: 18-19054 (JNP)).

The case was hampered by extensive litigation from prior creditors and shareholders, disrupting the marketing process and requiring much court time.

Despite those distractions, we got over 20 potential bidders to take site tours in Philadelphia.

Garces retained his critical contract to provide exclusive catering services to the Philadelphia Academy of Music.

While several locations were closed, Chef Garces continued to provide outstanding fare and beverages at iconic award-winning restaurants like Amada (named after his Ecuadorian paternal grandmother), the Olde Bar, Village Whiskey, and Buena Onda Baja.

Efficient Process: Manning advised the Debtor on an expedited §363 sale of assets, reaching out to over 80 strategic and financial bidders.

• The litigation battles required extensive expert testimony in the bankruptcy over the sales process.

• Conducted and expedited sales to ensure a fast-track process to maximize value to the Debtors.

• Garces Restaurant Group was sold to a new investor group under an expedited §363 sale.