Sunday, January 3, 2021

[REDUCTION] Tilted Kilt Exits Atlanta, Gives Way to More "Well-Developed" Chains

Once popular "breastaurant" Tilted Kilt has closed its last remaining Atlanta area location.  Situated along Cobb Parkway across from Akers Mill Square, Tilted Kilt closed as of December 31, according to several social media posts.  The restaurant had chains around its front doors on Sunday when a ToNeTo Atlanta reader visited, but surprisingly there was no notice of the closure onsite.  At its height, the Tempe, Arizona-based chain had seven locations in metro Atlanta, including outposts in Kennesaw, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Buford and Suwanee. 

Tilted Kilt Cumberland opened in 2009 and occupied a roughly 6,600 square foot freestanding building.  Cobb County property records indicate that the restaurant building was first constructed in 1978 and sits on nearly one acre.  Prior to Tilted Kilt, the building was home to Olde Mill Steakhouse, a local chain which once had several locations around metro Atlanta including another on Savoy Drive in Chamblee, that in 2018 became the new home of The Mad Italian.  

Fellow breastaurant operators Dallas-based Twin Peaks and Atlanta-based Hooters both continue to operate multiple locations in metro Atlanta.  Hooters has a location in an outparcel of Akers Mill Square across the street from the now shuttered Tilted Kilt, as well as in Downtown, Kennesaw, Roswell and Buford, among others.  Twin Peaks operates locally in Buckhead and Kennesaw in addition to a unit in Augusta.  

For its part, Tilted Kilt has always been a distant third: RC Cola in a Coke & Pepsi world.  Tilted Kilt had 80 locations at the end of 2017.  In recent years, franchisees have closed dozens of units and the chain itself sold for $10 in 2018.  The corporate Tilted Kilt website is seemingly down for the time being, so it's difficult to confirm, but online research and posts to the Tilted Kilt facebook page suggest that there are as few as a dozen units still in operation.  

There are sure to be plenty of second generation restaurants becoming available in the coming months and while the former Tilted Kilt could draw interest from restaurant operators, it could also be viewed as a good addition to the Barnes & Noble parcel next door.  ToNeTo Atlanta reported in November that the 2.4 acre Barnes & Noble site was being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity.  The nearly one acre Tilted Kilt, while not essential to any would-be redevelopment, could be an intriguing addition.  (There are also unconfirmed reports that the restaurant could be reopened as a new concept from the same owners  - Crooked Kilt anyone?) 

Are you surprised to see Tilted Kilt close near Cumberland Mall?  What is your favorite Cumberland/Vinings area restaurant?  What would you like to see open in place of Tilted Kilt?

Please share your thoughts below. 

7 comments:

Greenwave said...

This sucks. They had the best food. I never had a bad experience there and it was the location to be at to watch NFL games. I will miss their Irish Nachos & burgers.

Anonymous said...

We had one in Roswell for a little while. Went twice. Felt more like a strip club that a restaurant when they first opened. All the waitresses were very attractive, I was told that most of them came from Hooters in Kennesaw to make more money. They sat down at our table and chatted us up. It was very uncomfortable and awkward. And the food was mediocre, at best.

Jml813 said...

Went to the Alpharetta location for lunch once. It was definitely awkward and as a woman, I have no issues w Hooters. Food and service were mediocre at best. Not surprised they closed.

Unknown said...

The rumor reference is true. I know the owners and they are opening a different restaurant there. TK as corporate entity going away so they had to change.

Anonymous said...

It's a shame as there were some hot waitresses there. Looks like Twin Peaks and Hooters instead.

Unknown said...

Georgia Suxxxxx....

Anonymous said...

Should open up one in gainesville or athens they don't have hooters or twin peaks there

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