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

Renowned pitmaster and chef Rodney Scott is setting his sights on a comeback following the abrupt shuttering of his restaurant chain. The closures, which impacted several establishments under the Pihakis Restaurant Group, began in April and culminated with his Charleston, S.C. location ceasing operations on May 3.

A Difficult Departure

In a recent interview with the Post and Courier, Scott expressed his shock regarding the collapse of the restaurant group. "This is tough to process knowing how much heart our team and our guests have put into these places," Scott stated. The pitmaster, originally from South Carolina, first partnered with Birmingham restaurateur Nick Pihakis to open his flagship Charleston spot in 2017. He later expanded into the Birmingham market, launching a location in 2019 at 3719 Third Ave. South in Avondale, followed by two additional area restaurants in their well-documented partnership.

Navigating Legal and Financial Hurdles

The downfall of the Pihakis Restaurant Group has been marked by significant volatility. At least a dozen restaurants under the company's umbrella closed last month. The group is currently mired in lawsuits and liens totaling over $12.6 million, including claims from developer Michael Mouron and disputes over unpaid bills. Additionally, a lawsuit filed by Itria Ventures regarding a $350,000 loan linked to the South Carolina location further complicated the final days of the business.

The Road Ahead

Although Scott holds no ownership stake in the Pihakis Group, he remains committed to his staff and his craft. His immediate goal is to revive the Charleston location, though the specific path forward remains uncertain. "Right now, my focus is on our people—the folks who showed up every day and treated this like family," he said.

Scott’s attorney, Michael Gruenloh, confirmed that they are exploring options ranging from negotiations with the restaurant group to litigation or even launching at new sites. "Rodney doesn’t need the restaurant group to keep serving barbecue in the Lowcountry," Gruenloh noted. "If a pivot is required to build a better foundation, Rodney will pivot."

A Changing Culinary Landscape

While the Pihakis group faced collapse, some local favorites are finding new life under different ownership. Founded by Wil Drake, Hero Doughnuts & Buns has reopened in Homewood as Full Circle. Similarly, Salice (formerly Luca Lagotto) continues under founder Rita Bernhardt, Little Donkey has survived via new ownership, and Magnolia Point continues to serve its Gulf-centric menu to the public.