BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Bankruptcy paperwork was filed this week on behalf of popular Louisiana Japanese-fusion restaurant chain, Tsunami.
The WAFB I-TEAM uncovered court documents showing a number of high-dollar debts listed for all four Tsunami locations across Louisiana.
Tsunami operates restaurants under subsidiaries across the state, and all have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
According to attorney Kent Aguillard who is handling Tsunami’s bankruptcy proceedings, all of the restaurants will continue operating during this reorganization. Each restaurant under their respective subsidiaries: Tsunami LLC, Horando LLC, Kabuki LLC and Dai Yon LLC will have 90 days to file a plan of reorganization. Those LLCs represent two restaurants in Baton Rouge, one in New Orleans and a location in Lafayette.
The downtown Baton Rouge location has been open since 2005.
The second Baton Rouge location on Smart Way in the Highland Road area opened in 2024.
Court documents show debts reported by that location include $21,000 owed to Fortune Fish and $16,000 owed to JFC International among other debts.
The Poydras Street location in the heart of New Orleans Central Business District opened in 2017.
It reported debts including $285,000 owed to Stirling Properties which operates the Pan American Life Center, the building that houses the Tsunami Restaurant.
Court documents show other debts include $61,000 owed to KB Media LLC, $29,000 owed to Fortune Fish, $23,000 owed to JFC International, and $11,000 owed to Chicago-based Ecolab Inc. which handles hygiene and infection prevention services across multiple industries.
Tsunami’s Lafayette location on Jefferson Street was opened in 1997.
It reported debts including $26,000 owed to Fortune Fish and $11,000 owed to Loop Linen Service, Inc.
Altogether, Tsunami restaurants across the state owe between $2.5 to $3 million dollars to creditors, according to their lawyer. Aguillard said some of those amounts are currently being disputed.
Court proceedings are still ongoing.
The following statement was released by Tsunami Restaurants:
On March 2, 2026, the four operating companies that branded as the Tsunami Restaurants in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans filed for reorganization under the small business bankruptcy code. The small business federal law initiated in response to the Covid Pandemic provides companies with an opportunity to reorganize their financial affairs, pay their creditors, and continue doing business, without the threat of litigation.
Tsunami Restaurants are not closing but are merely reorganizing and will continue serving unique sushi, sashimi, and Asian dishes in all four locations without interruption. Customers should expect to continue to receive the same quality of service and meals upon which the restaurants built their brand.
The parent companies of the Tsunami Restaurants have not filed for reorganization but elected to reorganize their subsidiaries and continue to serve their customers in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and New Orleans. The Tsunami brand began in Lafayette, expanded to Baton Rouge then New Orleans. The restaurants are considered a favorite amongst locals who love Sushi. Tsunami is known for unique Asian dishes, excellent service, and a stylish atmosphere.
Tsunami is guided in their reorganization/rehabilitation program by experienced accounting, financial, legal, and business advisors. Tsunami and their team of experts expect to complete their reorganization in the coming months and continue building the Sushi experience across Louisiana and beyond.
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Dining and Cooking