Francesca’s, a once-popular women’s clothing retailer based out of Houston, Texas, is closing stores nationwide.
The closings come amid reports that employees were “laid off unexpectedly” and allegations that the clothing retailer owed vendors “hundreds of millions of dollars in unpaid invoices,” according to Fox Business.
Company representatives confirmed to Women’s Wear Daily that Francesca’s, which sold women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories and gifts, has started liquidation sales as of Jan. 16, 2026, and will be “closing soon.”
According to Women’s Wear Daily, the company owed about $250 million to one of its vendors.
Here’s how Francesca’s slowly declined to its current state, starting from when it first filed for bankruptcy.
When did Francesca’s first get into financial trouble?
Francesca’s first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 due to declining sales and announced that 140 stores would close.
In 2021, the company’s assets were sold for $18 million to Francesca’s Acquisition LLC, although the company still struggled financially.
In the years after Francesca’s emerged from bankruptcy, it partnered with a tween-oriented brand, acquired a clothing line associated with Miley Cyrus and even opened up a location inside American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, in April 2024, according to Fox Business.
How many Francesca’s locations are in New Jersey?
According to the store locator, there are 18 stores left in New Jersey.
This includes the location that opened at American Dream mall two years ago.
