Paladin Capital Inc., a Tennessee-based private equity firm with a broad trucking and logistics footprint, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, placing hundreds of transportation and logistics jobs at risk.
The company filed its voluntary Chapter 11 petition on Jan. 26 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Court records show Paladin Capital reported between $10 million and $50 million in assets and between $100 million and $500 million in liabilities.
Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, Paladin Capital serves as the ultimate parent company of a multi-entity trucking and logistics platform. Bankruptcy filings indicate the firm holds 100% equity stakes in more than 20 operating subsidiaries, including Robert Bearden Inc. and the Quickway family of companies.
Both Robert Bearden Inc. and Quickway Transportation have filed their own Chapter 11 petitions in recent weeks, following operational shutdowns, driver layoffs and widespread equipment returns, as previously reported.
In documents outlining the events leading up to the filing, Paladin Capital cited prolonged weakness in the freight market, rising insurance premiums, escalating equipment costs and tightening liquidity tied to its lending arrangements. The company disclosed that it defaulted on a credit facility with Truist Bank after insurers drew on letters of credit related to accident claims, significantly reducing available cash.
As liquidity tightened, Paladin Capital said it became unable to make payments to major equipment lenders beginning in mid-2025.
Restructuring documents also identify Robert Bearden Inc. as a significant cash drain within the portfolio prior to the bankruptcy filing. Paladin Capital said it attempted to negotiate a workout with lenders but ultimately sought Chapter 11 protection to halt equipment repossessions and preserve remaining operations.
At the time of the filing, Paladin Capital reported employing approximately 912 workers across its portfolio, including more than 150 employees at Robert Bearden Inc. and nearly 500 workers associated with the Quickway entities.
The company said it plans to pursue Section 363 sales of individual business units rather than a single sale of the entire platform as the restructuring process moves forward.
