Trenton, New Jersey, September 6, 2025
News Summary
Boston Market is down to just four locations in New Jersey—Hackensack, Lodi, Union, and Woodbury—due to significant financial struggles and labor investigations. The company faced a state labor investigation that revealed unpaid wages totaling over $600,000, leading to numerous closures. Despite partial remediation efforts, the brand’s presence has sharply declined from its peak in the 1990s, reflecting broader challenges in the fast-casual dining industry.
Trenton, New Jersey — Boston Market has dwindled to just four locations in New Jersey after a prolonged combination of labor investigations, legal judgments and years of falling sales, leaving the once-widespread chain with a minimal in-state footprint and heavy financial liabilities.
Key facts at a glance
The chain now operates only in Hackensack, Lodi, Union and Woodbury in New Jersey. The decline followed a state labor investigation that in August 2023 produced stop-work orders affecting 27 locations for alleged unpaid wages and record-keeping violations. The company was found to owe $607,471 in back wages to 314 employees and faced an aggregated liability exceeding $2.55 million including damages and fees. By September 2023, Boston Market had paid more than $630,000 in back wages, allowing some stores to reopen temporarily, though many later closed or were permanently shuttered.
Labor investigation and financial findings
The New Jersey Department of Labor action began after a worker complaint submitted in November 2022, which led to additional grievances filed by more than 30 employees statewide. The August 2023 orders targeted operational failures including unpaid wages and poor payroll record-keeping. The official findings reported that Boston Market owed $607,471 in back pay, plus roughly $1.2 million in related damages and fees, bringing the total identified liability to over $2.55 million. Partial remediation occurred by September 2023 when the company disbursed more than $630,000 in back wages, prompting the lifting of stop-work orders at some sites; however, many locations later closed again amid ongoing operational and financial pressures.
Local site reuses and closures
A number of former Boston Market buildings in New Jersey have been repurposed by other businesses or converted to non-restaurant uses, reflecting the rapid contraction of the chain’s local footprint. Notable conversions include:
- Mahwah: Became The Bagel Shack.
- Emerson: Converted into a shared space housing Wayback Burgers and Molite Pizzeria.
- North Arlington: Transitioning to WBN Factory (wings, burgers, tenders).
- Ridgefield: Now D’Avant Bakery with a drive-thru.
- Clifton: One site displays a space-for-rent sign; another became a chocolate house.
- Fair Lawn: Reused as an Englewood Health clinic.
- East Hanover: Converted into a Burger King.
National context and ownership
Nationally, Boston Market has contracted to roughly 20 remaining restaurants after closing about 95% of its former locations. The brand peaked during the 1990s with about 1,200 locations but filed for bankruptcy in 1998 amid financial strain. The company was acquired by Engage Brands in 2020. Since then, Boston Market has faced multiple lawsuits from vendors, employees and management related to its financial condition. The brand has also begun limited international expansion, opening a location in India as part of an effort to diversify revenue streams.
Industry trends and implications
The chain’s collapse in New Jersey reflects broader pressures on fast-casual dining: intensified competition, narrow margins, labor cost scrutiny and changing consumer habits. The combination of regulatory action for unpaid wages and continued legal and financial claims has reduced consumer access to the chain in the state and contributed to lease terminations and property repurposing. For workers, the investigation recovered partial back pay but left unresolved liabilities and employment disruptions in several communities.
Timeline (selected)
- November 2022: Worker complaint filed with state labor authorities.
- August 2023: New Jersey Department of Labor issued stop-work orders at 27 locations.
- September 2023: Company paid over $630,000 in back wages; some locations briefly reopened.
- By December 2024: Only four Boston Market restaurants remained open in New Jersey.
- 2020–2024: Engage Brands ownership and ongoing legal and vendor disputes; limited international openings, including India.
What residents should know
Customers seeking Boston Market in New Jersey should be aware that local availability is limited to four locations: Hackensack, Lodi, Union and Woodbury. Former sites have been redeveloped or repurposed for other food service concepts and non-restaurant uses. Workers and former employees who believe they are owed wages may consult state labor resources for guidance on claims and remediation steps.
FAQ
How many Boston Market locations remain in New Jersey?
As of December 2024, four locations remain open in New Jersey: Hackensack, Lodi, Union and Woodbury.
Why did Boston Market close most of its New Jersey locations?
Closures followed a state labor investigation that identified unpaid wages and record-keeping problems, a major financial judgment totaling over $2.55 million, years of declining sales, and ongoing legal and operational challenges.
Did Boston Market pay the back wages found by the investigation?
The company paid more than $630,000 in back wages by September 2023, which led to the lifting of some stop-work orders; however, additional liabilities remained part of the overall judgment.
What happened to former Boston Market buildings in New Jersey?
Many former sites were repurposed. Examples include conversion into bagel shops, burger and pizza concepts, bakeries, a health clinic and other restaurants. Some locations remain vacant and listed for lease.
Who owns Boston Market now?
The chain is owned by Engage Brands, which acquired it in 2020 and has overseen the brand during its recent contraction and limited international expansion.
Quick reference table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Remaining NJ locations | Hackensack; Lodi; Union; Woodbury |
| Major labor action | August 2023 stop-work orders at 27 locations following a Nov 2022 complaint |
| Back wages found owed | $607,471 to 314 workers (plus about $1.2M in damages and fees; total > $2.55M) |
| Payments made | More than $630,000 in back wages paid by September 2023 |
| Ownership | Engage Brands (acquired 2020) |
| National footprint | Approximately 20 restaurants remaining nationwide (decline from ~1,200 in the 1990s) |
| Useful action for employees | Contact state labor authorities for claim procedures and status updates |
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Additional Resources
- North Jersey: Boston Market’s Decline in New Jersey
- Wikipedia: Boston Market
- NJBIZ: Last Boston Market Locations in NJ
- Google Search: Boston Market Decline NJ
- 42 Freeway: Boston Market Deptford Reopened
- Google Scholar: Boston Market Bankruptcy
- WPST: Boston Market Hamilton NJ
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fast Food Industry
- WOKQ: Boston Market Locations
- Google News: Boston Market Labor Issues
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
