Colombian Hamburger Chain Presto Faces Liquidation After Debt Deal Fails

Colombian fast-food chain Presto has entered judicial liquidation after failing to finalize a debt-restructuring deal, according to recent reports. The liquidation, ordered by the Superintendency of Companies (SuperSociedades) on October 13, 2026, leaves the future of the 45-year-old brand in doubt. The company, Franquicias y Concesiones SAS, had requested the liquidation on September 30, citing declining cash flow, unpaid administrative expenses, and other financial issues.

Presto, which opened its first restaurant in Bogotá in 1981, played a significant role in popularizing hamburgers in Colombia. The brand operated over 140 restaurants across 24 cities before its current troubles. In 2012, Costa Rican investment firm Mesoamérica acquired Presto through its food-service platform, Mesofoods, aiming to modernize and expand the chain.

In July 2023, Presto entered Colombia’s corporate reorganization process under Law 1116 of 2006, which allows financially distressed companies to negotiate with creditors and attempt to save their businesses. A restructuring agreement, covering 31 billion Colombian pesos (about US$9.8 million) and reducing certain debts, was approved by 81.39% of qualified and graded creditors on April 30, 2026. However, the agreement ultimately failed.

The liquidator, Monica Macias, is now seeking a buyer who can preserve the business and keep its restaurants operational. Current restaurants are set to remain open until further notice, but the search for a purchaser does not guarantee their long-term survival. The liquidation process will determine how the company’s assets are handled and address claims from other creditors.

Employees' contracts will terminate upon the initiation of judicial liquidation, with indemnities determined by applicable labor law. The outcome for employees remains uncertain and will depend on the liquidation process and any subsequent transaction.