The Tampa, Fla.-based owner of the Johnny Leverock's Seafood House chain has filed for bankruptcy reorganization, but the seven restaurants will continue to operate, officials said Wednesday.

Greater competition, declining tourist traffic and hurricane-related lost business forced Gold Coast Restaurants Inc. to file for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in federal bankruptcy court last week, the company's Tampa lawyer said.

"There's more restaurants chasing fewer diner dollars," Scott Stichter said. "Then there was the damage from the hurricanes. Not property damage, but lost business.