AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- 24 Hour Fitness has become the latest casualty of the coronavirus.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early Monday, and announced the closure of more than 130 of its locations across the U.S.
The company closed all of its locations on March 16 as the coronavirus pandemic began to hit the U.S. economy, and has slowly been re-opening clubs where it can, pursuant to local rules and regulations.
"If it were not for COVID-19 and its devastating effects, we would not be filing for Chapter 11," CEO Tony Ueber said in a statement. "With that said, we intend to use the process to strengthen the future of 24 Hour Fitness for our team and club members, as well as our stakeholders."
Three of the company's Austin-area locations - Lake Creek, Parmer Lane, and Round Rock - are on the list of locations being closed. Many of the locations being closed are in Dallas and Houston, as well as New York, Seattle, and the company's home state of California.
The closures will leave the company with four locations around Austin, and about 300 locations nationwide.