According to a source and court documents, R&R lost the backing of its largest lender. (R&R Family of Cos.)
February 5, 2026 10:09 AM, EST
Key Takeaways:
- R&R Family of Cos. closed in January after losing support from its largest lender during prolonged weak freight conditions.
- Lenders cited $65 million in unpaid trade debts, liquidity shortfalls and alleged faulty accounting as reasons the carrier could not continue operating.
- Executives plan to contest a lawsuit filed Jan. 23 over alleged asset transfers as remaining R&R assets are liquidated.
Poor business conditions and challenges with a financial backer converged to force another trucking company to close its doors.
In January, the Pittsburgh-based R&R Family of Cos. shut down, according to a source close to the situation. According to the source and court documents, R&R lost the backing of its largest lender.
R&R Family of Cos. ranks No. 48 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest for-hire carriers in North America, and No. 63 on the logistics list.
R&R operated 928 company-owned tractors and 214 owner-operator tractors, and employed 715 staff, according to TT data. It was the parent company for R&R Express — a truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal carrier — R&R Global, truckload carrier R&R Power Only, RFX, Taylor Express and the recently divested WLX/WLE. It also owned Giant Energy Solutions and GT Worldwide Logistics, 3PL and brokerage Paradigm.
R&R Express operated 51 tractors, according to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data. GT Worldwide Transport operated 47 power units, FMCSA data show.
Immediately prior to closing, R&R sold Kansas City, Mo.-based WLX/WLE — which did business as WLX and Western Logistics Express — to Brainerd, Minn.-based privately owned holding company CJK Group for an undisclosed sum.
WLX operates 66 tractors and employs 39 drivers, FMCSA data show. CJK’s portfolio also includes book and magazine printer Sheridan, publisher KGL and third-party services for manufacturers specialist Tweddle Group.
“The acquisition represents a strategic expansion of CJK Group’s diversified portfolio into the transportation and logistics sector, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to investing in strong operating businesses with proven leadership teams and growth potential,” CJK said in a statement Jan. 12.
“This acquisition is an important step in expanding CJK Group’s logistics capabilities, and we look forward to investing in the team and supporting continued growth for years to come,” CJK CEO Chris Kurtzman said.
R&R tried to sell the rest of the company, but discussions halted and the remaining assets are being liquidated, said the TT source, who requested anonymity.
Before closing its doors, R&R hired G2 Capital Advisors to restructure its operations, court filings show.
G2 recommended R&R borrow at least $25 million from its existing lenders, led by Huntington National Bank.
However, the Columbus, Ohio-based bank did not find the restructuring plan to be viable and recommended R&R wind down its operations “in an orderly manner,” citing $65 million in unresolved trade payables and insufficient liquidity to meet obligations.
Huntington National Bank and other lenders provided R&R with more than $88 million in backing in 2022. R&R still owes the lenders almost $40.9 million, according to the bank.
On Jan. 23, the bank sued an affiliate of the carrier — R&R Express Properties — plus CEO Richard Francis and his wife, Kathleen Francis.
In a filing with the Circuit Court for the 20th Judicial Circuit in Collier County, Fla., the bank accused R&R of “hiding losses … through an erroneous accounting of prepaid expenses and accruals,” incurring debts it could not pay. It accused the CEO of coordinating a “fraudulent scheme” to transfer a Florida “corporate retreat” worth more than $10 million to his name.
The bank wants the court to negate the transfer and an associated mortgage with a separate financial institution, return the property to R&R and seek restitution for its expenses.
Executives associated with what remains of R&R intend to fight the allegations, TT has learned.
“We will be filing responsive papers and also affirmative claims in connection thereto. While we do not intend to litigate this matter in the press, we also deny the financial allegations set forth in the complaint,” a representative said in a statement to TT.
R&R has not filed for bankruptcy protection, unlike other carriers battered by the longest freight downturn in memory, such as STG Logistics and Montgomery Transportation.
Dublin, Ohio-based intermodal and drayage services provider STG Logistics filed for court protection on Jan. 12.
Montgomery Transportation closed its doors Oct. 9 after a deal to sell the flatbed carrier to fellow Birmingham, Ala.-based carrier PS Logistics collapsed.
