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Clover Food Lab to Close All Boston Restaurants and Delivery

The company said steep ingredient and supply cost increases made its locally sourced, low‑margin model unsustainable.

Overview

  • Clover confirmed that Thursday, May 28, will be its final day of restaurant service and meal‑box delivery across the Boston area.
  • The shutdown will eliminate about 170 jobs as the chain closes roughly a dozen quick‑serve shops and kiosks.
  • Clover’s leadership says ingredient prices and other operating costs rose roughly 30 to 50 percent over two years, squeezing margins the company could not pass on to price‑sensitive customers.
  • The chain had filed for Chapter 11 in 2023, emerged in 2024, and sought a buyer this spring but was unable to complete a sale before deciding to liquidate.
  • The closure removes a longtime buyer for New England farms and highlights broader pressures on fast‑casual restaurants from higher supply costs, remote work reducing lunch traffic, and intense competition.