New York's favorite burger chain flames out in California as it abruptly shuts nine restaurants

Shake Shack will close nine restaurants across the US in the next month - with more than half of them in California. 

The New York City-based chain has announced that six underperforming locations in the Golden State - including the only Oakland restaurant - will shut.

The chain will also close two further restaurants in Texas and one in Ohio by September 25. 

It is the first time that the chain is closing restaurants for reasons that are not construction-related, according to Restaurant Business. 

The chain still has around 330 locations nationwide, and more than 20 in California, where it is competing with major chains and local favorite In-N-Out. 

Shake Shack will close nine restaurants across the US in the next month - with more than half of them in California

Shake Shack, which is known for its burgers, crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes, is closing five locations in the Los Angeles area, including in Koreatown and Silverlake. 

In Texas, locations in Houston Galleria and Montrose are due to shut, and a restaurant in Polaris will close in Ohio, according to the company. 

The burger joint, which opened its first location in 2004 in New York City's Madison Square Park, insisted in a statement that it does not plan to close any further locations for the foreseeable future.

'After careful consideration, we've made the tough decision to close a small group of Shacks due to various factors, including underperformance,' Shake Shack CEO Rob Lynch said in a statement obtained by USA Today. 

'We remain focused on supporting our team members through this transition and look forward to continuing our growth, opening many more locations across the country.'

It comes amid widespread restaurant closures and bankruptcies across the US in recent months, as soaring food inflation and elevated running costs continue to hit businesses.

Fellow burger chain BurgerFi confirmed earlier this month that it is teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. 

BurgerFi, which also owns Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, said it expects to report a staggering loss of $18.4 million for the second quarter of this year. 

The losses leave the company with just $4.4 million available as of August 14.

BurgerFi told the SEC in its most recent filing that it would need further relief from its creditors if it was to remain solvent. 

If it does not, and cannot raise enough cash from other lenders or by selling off its assets, it 'may seek protection under applicable bankruptcy laws.'

Shake Shack, which is known for its burgers, crinkle-cut fries and milkshakes, is closing five locations in the Los Angeles area, including in Koreatown and Silverlake

The chain still has around 330 locations nationwide, and more than 20 in California, where it is competing with major chains and local favorite In-N-Out

Fast casual Mediterranean chain Roti filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on August 23, making it the latest in a line of restaurants to do so this year.  

Currently, Roti has 19 locations in Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington DC, where it serves Eastern Mediterranean-inspired bowls, salads and pitas.

CEO Justin Seamonds said in the bankruptcy filing that it was the best way for the company to address its challenges, which include higher costs and tough market conditions. 

Seafood chain Red Lobster also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May, citing an ill-fated $20 all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion as one of the reasons. 

The chain closed more than 100 locations following the announcement, and is set to shut 23 more locations across 15 states by August 31.

Mexican chain Rubio's Coastal Grill also entered bankruptcy proceedings, as well as popular Italian restaurant Buca di Beppo, after it abruptly shut 13 underperforming locations across the country earlier this month.