[Update as of Feb. 9, 2026] Francesca’s has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. Tiger Group, SB360 Capital Partners and GA Group, acting as adviser’s to Francesca’s, have begun court-approved store closing sales across the retailer’s 450-store fleet, offering discounts of 25% to 40% on women’s apparel and accessories.
Francesca’s has filed customary motions seeking authority for ongoing operations, including continuing employee wages and benefits and honoring post-petition obligations to vendors and partners.
“This process provides a structured path to pursue the best outcome for all stakeholders,” said Curt Kroll, CFO at Francesca’s in a statement. “We remain focused on operating responsibly and supporting our teams, partners and guests throughout this process.”
Original article from Jan. 22, 2026 begins-
Francesca’s Reportedly Prepping to Shut Down Stores, Liquidate Inventory
Women’s specialty chain Francesca’s appears to be getting ready to shut down operations, according to reporting in WWD. The Jan. 15, 2026 article quoted a source that said the retailer’s merchants were “let go yesterday with no warning,” and cited one of the chain’s former buyers who indicated that Francesca’s plans to liquidate all goods.
The WWD article also said that when contacted for comment, a Francesca’s customer service representative wrote in an email that “we are liquidating our inventory and closing soon.” Other sources indicated that the liquidation of inventory was expected to begin as soon as Jan. 16.
Founded in 1999, Francesca’s began trading on the Nasdaq in July 2011. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a blow to the mall-based retailer’s business, and it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2020. In January 2021 Francesca’s was sold to private investment firms for $18 million in cash and the assumption of $7.75 million in debt in a deal designed to keep at least 275 of Francesca’s remaining 551 locations open.
At press time the Francesca’s website still indicated that the retailer operates 475 boutique stores.
