Colombian hamburger chain Presto has entered judicial liquidation after its financial difficulties forced it to abandon a debt-restructuring agreement covering 31 billion Colombian pesos (about US$9.8 million). The Superintendency of Companies, known as SuperSociedades, ordered the process to end on Oct. 13, 2026, leaving the future of the 45-year-old brand uncertain.
Liquidator Monica Macias is seeking a buyer who could preserve the business and keep its restaurants operating. The outlets will remain open until further notice, according to reports on the decision, but the search offers no guarantee that the chain will survive in its current form.
The liquidation order concerns Franquicias y Concesiones SAS, the company operating Presto. The company requested the measure on Sept. 30 after reporting that declining cash flow, overdue administrative expenses and other unpaid obligations had undermined its ability to continue as a going concern.
Presto opened its first restaurant in Bogotá in 1981, when commercial fast-food chains were still developing in Colombia. The brand helped popularize hamburgers in Colombia by establishing standard fast-food operations across key national markets.
The chain later changed ownership. Costa Rican investment firm Mesoamérica acquired Presto in 2012 through its food-service platform, Mesofoods, and pursued modernization and expansion. At one point, the brand operated more than 140 restaurants across 24 Colombian cities.
Presto’s restructuring failed to restore financial stability
Presto entered Colombia’s corporate reorganization process on July 13, 2023, under Law 1116 of 2006, which establishes procedures for financially distressed companies to negotiate with creditors and attempt to preserve their businesses.
On April 30, 2026, SuperSociedades confirmed a restructuring agreement supported by 81.39% of the company’s qualified and graded creditors. The plan covered liabilities totaling 31 billion Colombian pesos and reduced certain debts, giving the company six years to meet its remaining obligations.
The agreement ultimately failed. In its liquidation request, the company cited a substantial decline in cash flow, delays in paying administrative expenses and an inability to sustain operations. It also failed to meet obligations incurred after the restructuring agreement was approved.
SuperSociedades subsequently terminated the agreement and opened judicial liquidation proceedings. The authority also ordered measures to secure the company’s assets as the process moves toward determining how it will handle its property and outstanding obligations.
This decision ends Presto’s attempt to recover through debt restructuring. Now, the key question is whether it can find a buyer before dwindling finances erode the value of its operations.
Will Presto’s restaurants close?
Not immediately, according to Macias’ plan. The liquidator is seeking a buyer who could take over the business and preserve its commercial operations, including its restaurant network and brand.
Keeping the outlets open could help maintain customer demand and protect the business’s value during the search for a purchaser. A functioning chain may be more attractive to investors than one whose restaurants have already closed.
Although restaurants remain open for now, this temporary service should not be taken as a guarantee that locations will stay open indefinitely. Without an interested buyer willing to strike a deal, Presto’s long-term future remains completely unresolved.
Presto’s employees face the consequences of liquidation
The proceedings also have serious implications for the company’s workforce. Article 50 of Law 1116 of 2006 establishes that initiating judicial liquidation automatically terminates employment contracts, with indemnities determined under applicable labor law.
That legal consequence is separate from the plan to keep restaurants serving customers temporarily. Continued operations do not, by themselves, guarantee that existing employment contracts will remain in force.
A buyer could create opportunities to retain some restaurant operations and jobs, but no staffing arrangements under a future owner have been confirmed. The outcome for employees will depend on the liquidation process and any subsequent transaction.
The proceedings must also address claims from other creditors. The company’s available assets, the claims recognized by the liquidator and the legal priorities governing payment will determine how much creditors ultimately recover.
Presto’s 45-year history could matter to a buyer
Presto’s 45-year presence and established restaurant network give the brand clear commercial value, but any prospective buyer must weigh that potential against the financial losses that triggered liquidation. For Macias, the immediate challenge is preserving operations while addressing the company’s assets and liabilities.
Ultimately, Presto’s future hinges on whether a buyer submits a viable offer. Until an agreement is reached, restaurants may continue serving customers, but the chain’s long-term survival remains uncertain.