If you’re running a B2B company right now, you’re probably watching the headlines about major retail and restaurant chains going under and wondering what it means for your business. Here’s the reality: this wave of closures isn’t just reshuffling the consumer market; it’s creating significant opportunities for B2B companies that know how to position themselves.
Let us break down what’s really happening and why your business development team should be paying attention.
Restaurant Chains
Retail Chains
Pharmacy Chains (Downsizing)
According to CNBC and BankruptcyWatch, Chapter 11 filings surged 49% in 2024, with these major restaurant and retail closures highlighting just a fraction of the broader industry-wide trend.
Major Retail Casualties
The numbers are staggering when you look at the B2B implications. JOANN Fabrics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy again in January 2025 and is closing all nearly 800 store locations by the end of May 2025; that’s hundreds of retail spaces suddenly needing everything from commercial cleaning services to liquidation support to property management.
CVS is closing 270 stores in 2025, while Walgreens plans to close around 150 locations, according to industry reports. When you’re talking about pharmacy chains of this scale, that represents significant opportunities for commercial real estate firms, facilities management companies, and business services providers.
Restaurant Chain Closures Creating B2B Opportunities
Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2024 after closing dozens of locations abruptly, with nearly 580 restaurants remaining open through the bankruptcy process. TGI Fridays followed suit with its own Chapter 11 filing in late 2024.
The broader picture shows serious opportunity. According to the U.S. Courts, total bankruptcy filings rose 14.2 percent in the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2024, with increases in both business and non-business bankruptcies. More specifically, Epiq Global reports that commercial Chapter 11 bankruptcies increased 34 percent in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Each of these closures creates demand for bankruptcy attorneys, asset liquidation services, commercial real estate brokers, and restructuring consultants.
Supply Chain Disruption Creates Service Demand
Here’s something that’s not getting enough attention in B2B circles: the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel are creating serious hazards for supply chain; however, industry consultants and logistics providers have the opportunity to step in and provide assistance. Iran has been threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, which handles about a quarter of the world’s maritime oil trade.
According to energy analysts, if Iran follows through, oil prices could spike 30-50% immediately, with some predicting crude could hit $120-130 per barrel. This isn’t just an energy story, it’s creating massive shift in the energy sector which calls for more diversification consulting, alternative logistics solutions, and risk management services.
The Expensive Money Problem
Along with the increase in bankruptcy filings, high interest rates are also forcing companies to seek alternative financing solutions, creating opportunities for:
Labor Cost Pressure Creating Service Opportunities
The labor crunch is real across industries. California’s $20/hour minimum for fast-food workers is just one example of how wage inflation is hitting businesses. According to CBS News, Red Lobster reported a $19 million loss in the first nine months of 2023, with labor costs being a significant factor.
This creates opportunities for:
Commercial Real Estate Services
With thousands of retail and restaurant spaces becoming available, there’s unprecedented demand for:
Professional Services in High Demand
Every business closure creates a cascade of professional service needs:
Technology Solutions for Survivors
The businesses that are surviving this shakeout share common characteristics, they’ve invested in technology and operational efficiency. This creates opportunities for:
Target Distressed Industries Proactively
Don’t wait for RFPs. If your services can help struggling businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, or navigate transitions, start reaching out now. Retail, restaurants, and consumer goods companies are actively seeking solutions.
Position for the Recovery
The businesses that survive this shakeout will need to rebuild differently. Position your company as the partner that understands both the challenges they’ve faced and the solutions needed for sustainable growth.
Focus on Cost-Efficiency Messaging
Your sales and marketing messaging should emphasize ROI, cost reduction, and operational efficiency. Decision-makers are scrutinizing every expense, so your value proposition needs to be crystal clear.
Build Relationships in Emerging Opportunities
New businesses will emerge to fill the gaps left by failed retailers and restaurants. Building relationships with commercial real estate brokers, business incubators, and investment firms can position you to serve these new market entrants.
The Strategic Takeaway
This isn’t just a story about retail and restaurant failures, it’s about a fundamental shift in how businesses operate. The companies surviving this period are leaner, more digital, and more focused on efficiency than their predecessors.
For B2B companies, this represents one of the largest market opportunities in years. The question isn’t whether businesses need help navigating this transition, it’s whether your company is positioned to capture that demand.
The businesses that failed couldn’t adapt fast enough. Make sure your B2B strategy does.
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