If you’ve ever been on the hunt for new household items to spruce up your living space, there are probably a few stores whose names you will recognize. Ikea, HomeGoods, and Crate and Barrel are just some of the home stores with locations across the country. Usually, hundreds of nationwide locations would denote success for a home furniture store. But one retailer with more than 260 locations across the United States has experts opining that a bankruptcy filing is imminent. 

At Home was incorporated nearly 50 years ago, and has since spread to approximately 266 locations nationwide. The company has an estimated $17.3 million in available assets, but approximately $2 billion in debt owed to landlords and other creditors. At Home missed a crucial debt payment on May 15, 2025, resulting in a forbearance agreement, leading to speculation that a bankruptcy filing could come within weeks. The company is expected to utilize the bankruptcy filing to turn the company’s financial situation around rather than shut down permanently. 

Filing for bankruptcy is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly by a business or an individual. A company can see its reputation irreparably tarnished if it declares bankruptcy due to insurmountable debts. Thankfully, this stigma isn’t as noticeable for consumers seeking to start over with a clean slate, especially with how the economy has been impacting everyone in recent times. Having a bankruptcy on your credit can be far less damaging than creditor collection efforts like wage garnishments, home foreclosures, vehicle repossessions, and more. But you can put a stop to the cycle of debt that can damage your financial situation over time by filing for chapter 7 or chapter 13 bankruptcy. Break free from debt and give yourself a fresh start. Our firm makes starting the process with free initial consultations and Zero Down post-filing payment plan options. Learn more today by calling 602-649-4949. 

Person clasps hands over Chapter 13 Bankruptcy form beside a law book and calculator, highlighting legal and financial stress.

Which Chapter Of Bankruptcy Will At Home File?

When it comes to individuals and families, chapter 7 and chapter 13 are the most popular chapters of bankruptcy for clearing debt in Arizona and across the United States. But chapter 13 isn’t an option for corporations, and chapter 7 can only be used for companies that are going out of business. Chapter 11 is an alternative that allows a company to get control of its debts and continue operating. Experts predict that this will be the chapter of bankruptcy that At Home will use to protect itself from creditors and restructure its debts. 

Chapter 11 bankruptcy’s most notable feature is the creditor committee process. Small businesses can use special filings to avoid this step, but must have less than $7.5 million in debt, so At Home likely does not qualify. When a debtor files for chapter 11 bankruptcy, their primary creditors are identified so they can send representatives to form a committee. While the company will maintain control over its day-to-day operations, the committee has authority over more important business decisions throughout the bankruptcy case. So if a company that is in chapter 11 bankruptcy wants to open new locations, sell off valuable assets, etc., this will need to be approved by the creditor committee first. The creditor committee also has to vote on how the company deals with its debt and emerges from bankruptcy. For most bankruptcy headlines you see, that will mean the company securing new financing or converting debt into equity. 

Similar Bankruptcy Filings From Home Goods Retailers

At Home’s potential bankruptcy case won’t come as a surprise for anyone who stays on top of business news. The pandemic brought new market pressures to the economy that have transformed as inflation has sharply increased the cost of living. Most businesses have struggled to adjust, with certain industries seeing more impact than others. Below are some recent bankruptcy filings that are comparable to At Home’s potential bankruptcy situation. 

Bed Bath & Beyond: This home retailer was best known for its mailers with coupons, and was in business for more than 5 decades before filing for bankruptcy. There were 360 Bed Bath & Beyond locations when the company declared bankruptcy in April 2023. At its peak, its stock was worth $81 in January 2014, but had plummeted to 7 cents per share by the time it filed for bankruptcy. Pressure from other retailers like Walmart and Target, and especially online retailers like Amazon, forced the now-defunct chain to file for bankruptcy and close all of its stores. 

Joann: Joann provided an option for those looking to DIY their home décor. This fabric and crafts store is now a memory from the past, closing several hundred locations across the country since its 2025 bankruptcy filing- the company’s second within a 12-month period. Its first case was meant to secure $132 million in financing to reduce its $505 million debt load. But its second case rolled into mass store closures, with shoppers now taking their business to Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, and online retailers. 

Conn’s: This home goods retailer filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2024. It shuttered more than 70 Home Plus locations across 13 states as a result of this bankruptcy filing, 7 of which were in Arizona. This home and furniture store declared between $1 billion and $10 billion in both assets and liabilities in its bankruptcy petition.  

Big Lots: This discount home goods store filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024. It originally announced that it would close up to 315 stores across the country in an effort to cut costs and bring down debts. Big Lots blamed its bankruptcy on both inflation and interest rates, with experts attributing decreasing sales to the store’s unimpressive value. It secured hundreds of millions of dollars in new financing and is even now set to reopen some stores. 

Arizona’s At Home Store Locations

Arizona currently is home to 8 At Home locations. This puts dozens of jobs at risk throughout our state, as well as eliminating affordable stores where people can buy home goods. At Home’s Arizona addresses are as follows:

  • Gilbert: 1891 Williams Field Rd, Gilbert AZ 85295
  • Mesa: 1944 S Greenfield Rd, Mesa AZ 85206
  • Peoria: 10140 N 91st Ave, Peoria AZ 85345
  • Phoenix: 12025 N 32nd St, Phoenix AZ 85028
  • Prescott: 1801 E State Route 69, Prescott AZ 86301
  • Scottsdale: 15255 N Northsight Blvd, Scottsdale AZ 85260
  • Tempe: 1050 W. Elliot Rd., Tempe AZ 85284
  • Tucson: 5255 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson AZ 85711

Feel At Home During Stressful Legal Matters With Our Arizona Bankruptcy Team

When a major company like At Home files for bankruptcy, they typically retain multiple professional firms to help administrate the debt relief process. But most bankruptcy debtors also don’t have millions of dollars in debt, hundreds of leases across the country, and more. Our team of Arizona Bankruptcy Attorneys strives to streamline the bankruptcy process in every way, starting with a simple consultation conducted over the phone. If your situation is the right fit for bankruptcy, you will be provided with your options, and if you’re eligible, a flexible post-filing payment plan option. Maximize your benefits and let us handle the heavy lifting in your bankruptcy case. Schedule your free consultation with Atlas Bankruptcy Lawyers today at 602-649-4949.