O’Charley’s to Close, Buffalo Wild Wings to Take Spot

While not finalized, it appears that Buffalo Wild Wings is headed to Rome.

According to Wayne Robinson, O’Charley’s is set to close its doors on September 1st with the sports themed restaurant looking to open later this year.

Robinson said that the group looking to bring BWW to Rome is still in its due diligence time period.

This will mark the fourth change to the location in nearly a decade, previously being the home to a Mexican restaurant and Santa Fe Steak House.

Robinson previously sold the shopping center that houses the restaurant, as well as Blue Fin and Firehouse Subs, River Center, close to a year ago.

Robinson noted that he is not part of the group looking to bring BWW to Rome.

According to officals with O’Charley’s, the company ended the relationship with this licensee after its inability to provide a healthy environment for guests. The closing of the restaurant was not a decision made solely by the licensee. 

O’Charley’s CEO Craig Barber issued the following statement to CVN:

“The O’Charley’s in Rome, GA (Floyd County) is not a company-owned restaurant but rather is the only licensed location in Georgia. As a licensed location, it has autonomy over day-to-day operations while licensing the use of the O’Charley’s tradename.

O’Charley’s has always practiced best-in-class health and safety protocols at its company-owned restaurants while making sure our team members are well-trained in these areas. These efforts have been enhanced over the last 18 months in the wake of COVID. Also, importantly, our Company strictly follows all federal, state and local health guidelines.

The health and well-being of our guests are always our highest priority, and we are blessed to serve our valued customers across Georgia and our other 16 states.  

To that end, we are disappointed in the situation at this licensed location and are addressing the issues associated with the failed inspection within the framework of the licensee agreement. Our intent is to dissolve the relationship with this particular location, and we hope to conclude that shortly.”