MIDDLESBORO — The nation’s largest steak and buffet restaurant company, Buffet’s Incorporated filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to court documents.

Buffet’s Inc. is the parent organization of Ryan’s Family Steak House and Buffet.

Blake Forester, manager of Ryan’s in Middlesboro, confidently responded that the local restaurant will not be affected.

“There are no shortages here,” stated Forester. “The company originally filed bankruptcy 6 months ago but had the assets to reorganize and put themselves back together. Middlesboro’s Ryan’s has the funds to support the business and has kept it together.”

Buffet’s Inc. consists of 626 restaurants in 39 states and hosts over 37,000 employees. Principal operations of this business are conducted at the supervising plant in Eagan, Minnesota.

Forester explained that most Ryan’s facilities have been financially restructured in accordance with Ch. 11 bankruptcy procedures. Buffet’s Inc. has already down-sized their corporation while undergoing Ch. 11, closing 20 of their less profitable buffet style restaurants.

Sarah Miracle is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News and can be reached via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.

Photo: The Middlesboro Ryan’s, pictured above, is reportedly stable, although their parent company, Buffet’s Incorporated, filed bankruptcy earlier this year. (SARAH MIRACLE/ Middlesboro Daily)