[EXCLUSIVE] Torchy's Tacos to Shutter West Midtown Restaurant

Atlanta's first location of Torchy's Tacos is closing.  According to signage at the West Midtown restaurant, the location, Georgia's first and only, is slated to close Tuesday February 3.

The 4,350 square foot restaurant, originally slated to open in July 2024, eventually opened August 23, 2024 at 1055 Howell Mill Road as part of the Star Metals development. 

"We have made the difficult decision to close our Atlanta restaurant," the sign read in part.   

"This was a difficult decision because of the impact on the people and communities we love.  

Y'all welcomed us with open arms and we appreciate all the love you have shown us over the last  year and a half.  

We'll still provide you with the best hospitality and serve the Damn Good food you love, until our last day." 

Despite the upcoming closure, sources close to the brand tell ToNeTo Atlanta that Torchy's is "committed" to Atlanta and that the company intends to open new stores elsewhere in the market in the years to come.     

ToNeTo Atlanta was the first to report on the fast-casual Texas-based chain's intentions of entering the Atlanta market.  That report was published March 4, 2020, about two weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic brought nearly everything to a screeching halt and affected the restaurant industry more than most.  After pausing expansion and later prioritizing other markets, Torchy's in 2023 signed the lease for the location in West Midtown. 

Torchy's is just the latest in a string of restaurant closures to rock the once incredibly hyped West Midtown area.   

Asian eatery Wagamama closed at Star Metals in January 2024 after little more than a year in business.  

Superica from Chef Ford Fry which opened at 930 Howell Mill Road in March 2023, abruptly closed in July 2024.

The closures accelerated in the months that followed, including:  Cultivate, West Egg Cafe, Snooze an A.M. Eatery, Culinary Dropout, Postino, Humble Pie, Pour Taproom, and Knuckies Hoagies.  Le Fat, Slim+Husky, L.O.A. Social Club, Damsel, and Boxcar Betty's also closed in West Midtown during 2024.

One possible cause, which we have discussed previously, could be that there were just too many restaurants along Howell Mill and not enough diners to keep them all in business. 

Georgia marked Torchy's 15th market. Michael Rypka began the business in 2006 and grew it through outside investments, including a $400 million stake sold in 2020, to more than 120 restaurants, the majority of which - more than 80 - are in Texas.  

The company named Paul Macaluso CEO effective Feb. 24 2025, succeeding Rypka, who transitioned into a new role of chief innovation officer. Macaluso, a veteran of multiple Atlanta-based GoTo Foods concepts, was also previously CEO of Another Broken Egg Cafe and Krystal before that.  

The chain closed a unit in Columbus, Ohio in August 2025 after about three years in business, and a pair of units in Kansas City the same month, after about five years in business.  

Torchy's upcoming closure will bring another "second generation" restaurant space to the market, which could be attractive for operators looking to grow.  Ghee, and Zeke's have already backfilled Wagamama and Slim & Husky, respectively, with Cultivate slated to open in place of the former Snooze soon.  

Have you been to Torchy's Tacos?  Why do you think so many restaurants struggle in West Midtown?  Where else in metro Atlanta would you like to see Torchy's open?

Please share your thoughts below.