ARK RESTAURANTS CORP 8-K

What Happened

• ARK Restaurants Corp announced a June 18, 2026 New York court decision in its long-running dispute with Bryant Park Corporation. The court granted summary judgment for ARK on its breach-of-contract claim relating to the Bryant Park Grill lease and ARK’s related right of first lease for the Bryant Park Café, finding ARK entitled to money damages to be determined at trial.
• The court did not order specific performance (i.e., did not reinstate leases) and denied relief on other claims. The court granted the Landlord summary judgment on its ejectment, use-and-occupancy, and breach claims concerning the Bryant Park Café lease and The Porch at Bryant Park license; the Landlord may seek damages for use and occupancy at a future trial.

Key Details

• Leases expired: Bryant Park Grill and Café on April 30, 2025; The Porch at Bryant Park on March 31, 2025.
• ARK filed its original complaint on March 28, 2025 and amended it (adding an age discrimination claim) on June 16, 2025.
• Court orders and motions timeline: preliminary injunction denied (Apr 24, 2025); use-and-occupancy payments required during litigation (Aug 13, 2025); certain Landlord claims dismissed (Dec 8, 2025); cross-motions decided (summary judgment decision June 18, 2026).
• ARK intends to file a Notice of Appeal as to adverse portions of the decision; filing an appeal will automatically stay eviction pending appeal but will require ARK to post an undertaking (amount set by the court).

Why It Matters

• The decision is material to ARK’s operations and finances: the company says the ongoing dispute has had and is expected to continue to have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, and results while litigation continues.
• Although ARK won on the Grill breach claim and may recover money damages, the court left open the Landlord’s ejectment and use-and-occupancy remedies for the Café and Porch, creating continued operational and financial uncertainty.
• Investors should watch the amount and outcome of the damages trial, ARK’s appeal filings (and any required undertaking), and any future court rulings that could affect ARK’s ability to remain in and operate the Bryant Park locations.