Cerca Trova, the largest franchisee of Outback Steakhouse, has filed for bankruptcy, citing rising food costs and California's minimum wage law. The company, formerly the largest franchisee of Outback Steakhouse, filed for bankruptcy on Monday, stating that its collapse was due to factors including increased food costs and California's minimum wage law. According to court documents, the San Diego-based company currently operates 61 Outback restaurants, down from a peak of 99 in 2018. The company has been in financial distress since the COVID-19 pandemic, with its debt increasing from approximately $269 million at the end of 2020 to about $449 million.