Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, in partnership with Nick Pihakis of Pihakis Restaurant Group (PRG), will open its first Tennessee outpost on April 5, 2024 at Chief’s, the six-story downtown Nashville establishment from country music star Eric Church and AJ Capital Partners CEO and founder Ben Weprin. Both raised in the Carolinas, Scott and Church share the story of home and a love for Carolina barbecue. Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ will overlook lower Broadway with its ‘Hell of a Q’ restaurant on the Chief’s rooftop, celebrating Church and Scott’s roots for a first-of-its-kind Southern experience in the heart of downtown Music City. The partnership between Church and Scott brings another landmark to Broadway: the first walk-up window serving delicious fare from breakfast through late night.
“I’ve cooked whole hog in a lot of places, but none quite like Broadway,” says Scott, a James Beard Award-winning pitmaster who got his start in his family’s barbecue joint at just eleven years old in a statement. “I’m excited to team up with Eric as he creates something special for his fans and the music community as a whole in Nashville.”
“It’s going to be a slow, artisanal process,” reflects Church. “We’ve done that in every layer of this and I think that Rodney Scott is the epitome – in the food variety – of what we’ve always done musically. We took great care not to rush, to do it the right way; doesn’t matter how long it takes, get it right. And he does.”
On Broadway, Chief’s stands out with an unparalleled entertainment experience for fans, from inspirational interiors and thoughtful focus on unique live performances to ownership of the building itself. The six-story bar, restaurant, and live music venue was designed with Church at the helm and is meant to be a physical representation of the CMA Entertainer of the Year’s musical journey with décor elements including more than 4,000 concert posters from throughout his career papering the ground floor. AJ and Weprin led the restoration of the historic building, assisting Church with the design, and will soon operate the venue. The duo then engaged Scott to create a new dining experience on Broadway.
For the Chief’s outpost of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, which has four locations across the Southeast, Pihakis Restaurant Group will expand its offerings with new menu items, including Rodney’s take on the classic Nashville hot chicken, beef brisket and burgers, alongside the classic South Carolina whole hog BBQ. The restaurant will be situated on the top two floors of Chief’s, including the ‘Hell of a Q’ rooftop, and offers both sit-down and grab-and-go options. With the ability to host private events and catering, the restaurant will become a staple on Broadway across a broad spectrum of offerings.
“Chief’s is bringing something entirely new to Broadway, so we saw an opportunity to expand upon our Rodney Scott’s experience with this incredible rooftop location overlooking the city,” says Nick Pihakis, founder of PRG. “We’ll still have the signature Rodney’s menu items, of course, but wanted to also provide a uniquely Nashville food experience to match the impact that Chief’s will have on Broadway.”
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ at Chief’s is set to open on April 5, 2024, and will be open for lunch and dinner from 10:30am to 11pm daily with brunch served from 10:30am to 2pm on Saturday and Sunday. A special late-night menu is served on the rooftop from 11pm to 2:30am. The street-level walk-up window serves breakfast from 8am to 11am and lunch and dinner beginning at 11am.
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ at Chief’s is located at 200 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37201.
