Rodney Scott ‘surprised and disappointed’ by restaurant closures, aims to reopen

Renowned pitmaster Rodney Scott is mapping out a comeback following the abrupt shuttering of his restaurant chain, an ordeal that began in April amid the broader collapse of the Pihakis Restaurant Group.

In an interview with the Post and Courier, Scott expressed he was both "surprised and disappointed" by the sudden closure of his locations, which included his original Charleston, S.C. spot and multiple Alabama outposts. "This is tough to process knowing how much heart our team and our guests have put into these places," Scott stated.

The Partnership and the Fallout

Scott, a South Carolina native, first broke onto the scene in 2017 when he partnered with Birmingham restaurateur Nick Pihakis to launch his first restaurant. This partnership later brought his signature barbecue to Birmingham, including the 2019 opening at 3719 Third Ave. South in Avondale, formerly the site of Saigon Noodle House and Bottletree Cafe. These ventures were cemented through a long-standing partnership with Pihakis.

However, the Pihakis Restaurant Group—once a dominant force in the Birmingham dining scene—has seen at least a dozen of its restaurants close in recent weeks. The company is currently embroiled in significant legal turmoil, including three separate lawsuits for unpaid bills and massive liens exceeding $12.6 million. Furthermore, a recent lawsuit regarding a $350,000 loan has tied the remaining Rodney Scott restaurants into the fray.

A Path Forward

While Scott does not hold an ownership stake in the Pihakis group and declined to comment on its internal state, he remains determined to resume operations. His primary goal is to get his Charleston location back up and running, though his lawyer, Michael Gruenloh, noted the path forward remains uncertain.

"Right now, my focus is on our people - the folks who showed up every day and treated this like family," Scott said. His legal team is currently weighing several options, including negotiating a deal to reopen or even pursuing litigation against the Pihakis Restaurant Group. Gruenloh emphasized that Scott is not tethered to the group's future: "If a pivot is required to build a better foundation, Rodney will pivot."

Shifting Ownerships

As the Pihakis group undergoes restructuring, other popular eateries have managed to survive through changes in ownership. This includes:

• Full Circle: The concept founded in 2016 by Wil Drake, formerly known as Hero Doughnuts & Buns, has reopened in Homewood.

• Salice: Formerly known as Luca Lagotto, the Homewood restaurant remains under the leadership of founder and operating partner Chef Rita Bernhardt.

• Little Donkey: The Homewood staple quickly transitioned to new ownership.

• Magnolia Point: This Southside dining destination for Gulf-centric cuisine is moving forward under its current trajectory.