News Summary
Sticky Fingers BBQ Restaurant in downtown Chattanooga has permanently closed its doors due to bankruptcy proceedings. The beloved establishment, a staple in the local dining scene for over 25 years, faced numerous financial challenges, resulting in a court-mandated liquidation. The closure impacts 36 employees and signifies a shift in downtown Chattanooga’s restaurant landscape. As many businesses struggle with rising costs and other challenges, local leaders are hopeful for continued investment in the area’s revitalization.
Chattanooga – Sticky Fingers BBQ Restaurant in downtown Chattanooga has announced its permanent closure, effective immediately. The beloved southern BBQ eatery, located on Broad Street, has been part of the city’s dining landscape for over 25 years. The abrupt ending of its operations followed a court decision as part of bankruptcy proceedings that mandated the closure. This decision impacts 36 employees who worked at the restaurant’s last remaining location.
Sticky Fingers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, which provided a restructuring plan to settle debts. However, the situation deteriorated, leading the court to convert the filing to a Chapter 7 liquidation. The fate of Sticky Fingers aligns with financial challenges that the restaurant chain faced over the past few years, with the closure signifying a notable shift in the local dining scene.
At its peak, Sticky Fingers operated 23 locations and employed over 1,000 staff members across its restaurants. The company was founded in 1992 by Chad Walldorf, Jeff Goldstein, and Todd Eischeid, who established its reputation for serving quality BBQ. However, the original founders sold the company nearly two decades ago, leading to multiple changes in ownership since then. In 2016, Walldorf briefly returned as an investor and chief support officer to help stabilize the chain after continued financial difficulties.
In recent years, Sticky Fingers has struggled with various challenges. The chain previously had a location at Hamilton Place Mall, which closed several years ago. Additionally, the downtown Greenville, South Carolina location closed in June, leaving only one remaining restaurant in North Charleston, South Carolina. The company faced significant losses during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced it to close multiple locations in 2020.
The decision to close the Chattanooga restaurant is symptomatic of broader challenges in downtown Chattanooga. Rising costs for rent, commodities, and labor, combined with specific issues like high parking prices, have put pressure on many local businesses. Employees at Sticky Fingers reportedly faced parking costs of around $9 per day, which could deter potential customers from visiting the restaurant.
Downtown Chattanooga has seen a troubling wave of restaurant closures, with establishments such as Thai Smile, Taco Mac, and Big River Grille all going out of business recently. However, despite these setbacks, the area remains dynamic, with new restaurants and bars either opening or reinvesting in the downtown scene. Emily Mack, CEO of River City Co., highlighted that downtown Chattanooga is experiencing significant investments in new developments, indicating ongoing growth for the area.
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has acknowledged the parking challenges faced by downtown businesses and is aiming to address these concerns, which could alleviate some of the burdens on restaurant owners and employees alike. Geier, the chief operating officer of Sticky Fingers, expressed gratitude for the resilience and support shown by employees during this challenging time, and also voiced hope for a future relocation of Sticky Fingers to another site in the Chattanooga area.
The closure of Sticky Fingers BBQ Restaurant marks the end of an era for many local residents who enjoyed the establishment over its long-standing service. As the Chattanooga dining scene continues to evolve, both challenges and opportunities remain for existing and incoming businesses.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Times Free Press: Sticky Fingers in Chattanooga Closes Amid Bankruptcy
- News Channel 9: Sticky Fingers Chattanooga Announces Permanent Closure
- Local 3 News: Sticky Fingers in Downtown Chattanooga Closes Doors
- Chattanoogan: Sticky Fingers Restaurant at Jack’s Closes
- WDEF: Sticky Fingers Announces It Is Shutting Down
- Wikipedia: Chattanooga
- Google Search: Sticky Fingers BBQ
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Google News: Sticky Fingers closure
- Google Scholar: Restaurant Bankruptcy
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
