Sean Brock’s Joyland reportedly closes 2 locations in Nashville
The fast-casual restaurants were operated in partnership with Pihakis Restaurant Group, which is facing multiple lawsuits and has shuttered restaurants across four states.
July 13, 2026
Chef and restaurateur Sean Brock has reportedly closed two locations of the fast-casual Joyland concept in Nashville, according to The Tennessean.
The restaurants were operated in partnership with Nick Pihakis of Pihakis Restaurant Group and Southall Farm and Inn founder Paul Mishkin. The Pihakis group, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is reportedly facing dozens of lawsuits seeking more than $23 million, mostly tied to nonpayment of debts, unpaid rent, and other bills. The group in May reportedly faced eviction from its Birmingham headquarters.
The Pihakis group this year has closed multiple restaurants across four states, including the concepts Tasty Town Greek Restaurant, the diner chain Hero Doughnuts, several locations of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, and the entertainment district known as Valley Post, which included the concepts Little Donkey, Luca & Lucy, and others.
One location of Joyland remains open in Birmingham, but it’s not clear whether that restaurant is also facing closure. Officials with Joyland, Pihakis, or Southhall did not immediately respond to requests for more information.
Pihakis was a co-founder of Jim ‘n Nick’s BBQ, which was acquired by Roark Capital Group in 2017. Pihakis went on to build the multi-brand restaurant group, which partnered with Brock to grow the Joyland concept in 2024.
Joyland, which Brock founded in Nashville in 2020, had grown to four units, but a location in Charleston, South Carolina, closed earlier this year.
Known for its biscuits, "Crust Burgers" and fried chicken, Joyland was a playful concept by Brock, who has long been associated with more upscale restaurants like Audrey, Husk, The Continental, and June. Brock also has the restaurant Darling in Los Angeles, which opened last year.
About the Author
Lisa Jennings
Executive Editor, Restaurant Business
Lisa Jennings is a veteran restaurant industry reporter and editor who covers the fast-casual sector, independent restaurants and emerging chain concepts. Her experience includes other industry publications as well as the daily newspaper The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., where she was Food Editor. Her work has been cited in the Los Angeles Times, Business Insider, FoodBeast, The Huffington Post, Time.com and more.
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