Brazil's Grupo Gennius debt renegotiation

Grupo Gennius (also referred to as Grupo Gênios), the holding company controlling Brazilian restaurant chains including Habib’s and Ragazzo, has secured a 60-day judicial injunction in São Paulo to suspend creditor lawsuits and debt collections. The group faces consolidated liabilities exceeding R$300 million.

The injunction, granted by the 1st Bankruptcy Court, is intended to provide a window for mediation through the Center for Judicial Conflict and Citizenship (CEJUSC) to renegotiate debts and potentially avoid formal judicial recovery. While the measure protects the group's 174 companies from asset seizure and new legal actions, it does not release receivables or guarantee-backed investments, and creditors must continue supplying essential inputs.

The financial difficulties are attributed to pandemic-related impacts on store traffic, rising inflation for ingredients, and competition from delivery applications. The company is reportedly focusing on austerity and transitioning to smaller, more efficient store formats to restore profitability.