Joann Fabrics

PE-Owned1 Documented Impact

Leonard Green's $1.6B leveraged buyout in 2011 loaded Joann with debt it could never repay. Filed bankruptcy in March 2024, emerged briefly, then filed again in January 2025 and liquidated all 800+ stores. ~19,000 employees lost their jobs.

Founded: 1943|Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners (2011)$1.6 billion
9
locations tracked

Ownership Information

Joann Fabrics is owned by Leonard Green & Partners. Private equity ownership often leads to cost-cutting, price increases, and reduced quality of service as firms prioritize returns for investors over customers and employees.Learn more about PE ownership impact →

Timeline

1943

Joann Fabrics founded

2011

Acquired by Leonard Green & Partners for $1.6 billion

2025CriticalClosure / Bankruptcy

Joann Fabrics liquidated all 800+ stores after two bankruptcies under Leonard Green

Leonard Green's 2011 LBO loaded Joann with $1.6B in debt. Filed Chapter 11 in March 2024, emerged briefly, then filed again in January 2025. All 800+ stores liquidated. ~19,000 employees lost their jobs. Leonard Green had already extracted significant returns through dividends and fees before the collapse.

Joann Inc. Files for Bankruptcy Again, Plans Liquidation

Reuters

Before vs. After PE Acquisition

Stores

Reported 2025

Before PE

800+ stores

After PE

0 (liquidated)

100%

Tracked Locations

GA (2)

Atlanta

5332 Main St

Atlanta, GA 30301

555-440-7264

Atlanta

131 Main St

Atlanta, GA 30301

555-584-7839

MN (1)

Minneapolis

5722 Main St

Minneapolis, MN 55401

555-503-7133

NC (1)

Raleigh

801 Main St

Raleigh, NC 27601

555-386-4274

NY (1)

New York

5178 Main St

New York, NY 10001

555-406-2844

OH (2)

Cleveland

6956 Main St

Cleveland, OH 44101

555-884-4341

Cleveland

9215 Main St

Cleveland, OH 44101

555-812-1297

TX (2)

Dallas

9234 Main St

Dallas, TX 75201

555-507-1170

Houston

9648 Main St

Houston, TX 77001

555-205-2201