Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Declares Bankruptcy Due to Debt Overload
Money | July 1, 2024, 8:44 p.m.
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, known for its uplifting books and inspirational content, has fallen into financial distress, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with nearly $1 billion in debt. Despite its positive messaging, the company's expansion into video-on-demand services and the acquisition of Redbox failed to generate sufficient revenue. With debts totaling $970 million and assets of $414 million, Chicken Soup for the Soul owes money to over 500 creditors, including entertainment giants and major retailers. The company's rapid growth after going public in 2017, with revenues reaching over $294 million by 2023, was not sustainable as losses mounted. As stock prices plummeted over 90%, questions arose about the company's ability to continue as a viable business. The failure to secure refinancing and the lack of lender cooperation contributed to the company's financial downfall.