The Decline of Boston Market: Why the Chain That Sparked the Rotisserie Chicken Craze Has Closed Dozens of Stores

Boston Market, once a pioneer in the rotisserie chicken craze, is facing financial struggles, including lawsuits over unpaid bills, store closures, and state fines for unpaid wages. The chain, which had around 1,200 locations at its peak, has seen a decline in recent years, closing 161 stores between 2017 and 2022 and about 50 more so far in 2023. The recent closure of 27 locations in New Jersey was prompted by a state probe that found the chain owed over $600,000 in back wages to employees, resulting in a $2.6 million fine.