Tully’s Coffee filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday, Oct. 10 and has announced plans to close several Puget Sound stores. All of the Bothell and Kenmore locations will remain in business.

The chain, which filed Chapter 11 paperwork in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle, closed eight stores recently and will shutter nine more this weekend.

“After careful consideration, our Board of Directors and Leadership Team believe that restructuring under the protection of Chapter 11 is a necessary step and the right thing to do for the future of the company,” said Scott Pearson, president and CEO of TC Global, Inc. in a press release.

The statement also says: “The filing coincides with a plan to close a number of our underperforming locations and to keep operating those that make financial sense for the future of our business.”

The statement also says the filing will allow Tully’s to lower operating expenses by relieving legacy costs, and by restructuring “the balance sheet by securing working capital”.

Tully’s closed stores in California, Idaho and three in the Seattle area recently. On Sunday, the following stores will close: Wallingford, Columbia Tower, 4th Avenue and Union Street, Madison Park, Bella Bottega Shopping Center in Redmond, Bridle Trails Shopping Center in Kirkland, TRC in Tacoma, Port Orchard and Hollywood Vineyards in Woodinville.

“The company will continue to have a formidable presence in the Puget Sound area,” Pearson said in the press release, “focusing on our core mission of serving the highest quality coffee in a warm and comfortable environment with outstanding customer service.”

To learn more visit www.omnimgt.com/TullysCoffee or call (866) 989-3039.