The House of Cards Fell — and It Took Rodney Scott With It

GregW · May 1

Most of you know Rodney Scott — James Beard winner, whole hog pitmaster, and one of the more recognizable names in barbecue. What you may not know is that his Birmingham operations were financially backed by Nick Pihakis.

Pihakis founded Jim and Nick's BBQ and sold it to an Atlanta private equity group, walking away in good shape. He went on to back a number of restaurant concepts in Birmingham, including Rodney's. It appears those subsequent ventures were built on shaky ground. The financial situation has unraveled, and it is taking a lot of people with it — Rodney Scott included. Multiple Birmingham restaurants tied to Pihakis have closed, and the outlook for most of them is not good.

It is a bad situation for the people who worked in those places and for the Birmingham food scene in general.

More details at the link below. AL.com is what it is — you know the drill.

https://www.al.com/news/2026/04/more-restaurants-close-as-financial-situation-deteriorates-for-birmingham-company.html

Botch · May 1

Once again, "private equity" is one of the most Evil phrases in the English language.

lkapigian · May 1

If it’s money you seek, you shall never have enough

Elijah · May 1

Private equity is playing a larger and larger role in college sports as well

fishlessman · May 1

Botch said:

Once again, "private equity" is one of the most Evil phrases in the English language.

we had a texas base accounting firm owning and running several large hospitals go chapter 11 in massachusetts a couple years ago. they ended up in a merger and name change and basically kicked out of the state for doing business here......they moved into new hampshire. they were hell to do business with.

during chapter 11 proceedings this came out

The company's filing revealed approximately $9 billion in liabilities, including $6.6 billion in long-term rent obligations, $1.2 billion in loans, almost $1 billion in unpaid bills to vendors, and $290 million in unpaid wages and benefits to its employees. In listing its obligations to non-insiders, filings revealed twenty creditors who were owed in excess of $10 million, including a debt of $32 million to the federal government in "reimbursements for insurance overpayments".

real scumbags, ran the hospitals into the ground

hoosier_egger · May 1

I find it hard to believe that Rodney Scott can’t be successful with his name alone

alaskanassasin · May 1

I was looking forward to a burger at Firebirds. The whole place changed, swmbo ordered a filet, she cut in half and it was raw. Sent it back and they heated the two pieces up and brought it back to her. Still under done. My burger was gross. Quick google revealed they were bought by private equity

DoubleEgger · May 1

hoosier_egger said:

I find it hard to believe that Rodney Scott can’t be successful with his name alone

Three restaurants in Birmingham is a lot…

Some of his locations don’t drive the most traffic either.

Botch · May 1

hoosier_egger said:

I find it hard to believe that Rodney Scott can’t be successful with his name alone

If he is able to; lots of times their name is taken, too (Famous Dave's is a good example, J. Geils is a bad example (not PE-related).

ColbyLang · May 2

I’ve seen P/E “enter” the food game in the last 8-10 years very strongly. It’s strange to me because it literally goes against everything they want.

They usually come in, fire executive team and replace with Bob who had a 25 year career doing XYZ. Never food related, but a company man.

They then move all supply chain over to other “areas” of their PE investments. I get that part.

i don’t get the low margins, low multiplier when selling that restaurants bring that is so attractive to PE.

GregW · May 4

https://www.al.com/news/2026/05/james-beard-award-winning-bbq-chefs-last-remaining-restaurants-close-sad-to-see-it-go.html

It now appears that all Rodney Scott's locations are now closed.

DoubleEgger · May 4

GregW said:

https://www.al.com/news/2026/05/james-beard-award-winning-bbq-chefs-last-remaining-restaurants-close-sad-to-see-it-go.html

It now appears that all Rodney Scott's locations are now closed.

Oh man. That sucks. I hate that for Rodney.

alaskanassasin · May 4

I’ve never been, was it good?

DoubleEgger · May 5

alaskanassasin said:

I’ve never been, was it good?

The Whole Hog BBQ was off the chain. The spare ribs at the Charleston location were the best I’ve ever had. A lot of vinegar forward sauces which are right up my alley.

fishlessman · May 5

DoubleEgger said:

alaskanassasin said:

I’ve never been, was it good?

The Whole Hog BBQ was off the chain. The spare ribs at the Charleston location were the best I’ve ever had. A lot of vinegar forward sauces which are right up my alley.

wonder if this trend of closures with bbq places is going to grow, prices for meat is getting crazy and operating prices are out of control. new place near me has pretty much an empty parking lot, maybe 3 cars in the afternoon. theres six locations now and they were growing. the whiskey/bourbon should atleast be attracting people

https://thesmokeshopbbq.com/

GregW · May 6

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ak/5qapdl29he9c.jpg

BigreenGreg · May 7

I hope Rodney's original shop in Hemingway missed the closures, it's historical at this point.

The House of Cards Fell — and It Took Rodney Scott With It

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