[ALERT] Jack Brown's Burger & Beer Joint to [Finally] Open Next Week in Virginia-Highland

When Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint opens its long-awaited debut Atlanta location next week in Virginia-Highland, it will be the first to open under the chain's new ownership.

First revealed in June 2025 to be replacing the former Taco Mac at 1006 North Highland Avenue, the restaurant was seemingly plagued by delays with the entire 22-unit chain selling to a Florida-based firm earlier this week.  

The menu centers on American Wagyu beef burgers with simple classics and then others that are a little more adventurous.   

The Greg Brady features house-made mac n' cheese, American cheese, and barbecue potato chips, the Cobra Kai features cream cheese, pickled jalapeños and jalapeño jelly while the Elvis combines peanut butter, applewood-smoked bacon, American cheese, and Duke’s mayo.   Traditional crinkle cut fries and sweet potato fries are also offered as well as a deep fried Oreo.  

The casual burger and beer eatery was to have opened last fall but was delayed several times for unspecified reasons with the restaurant now promoting its planned opening on Monday November 2.  

It was reported October 26 that Florida-based private equity firm Green Shoot Brands had acquired Jack Brown's for an undisclosed sum.  

It was just two weeks prior that Fresh Dining Concepts, a multi-brand franchisee of several food and beverage brands, announced that it had rebranded as Green Shoot Brands (GSB). 

The new name was meant to reflect the company’s growth from 40 Auntie Anne’s locations in 2019 to 388 locations across eight brands in 21 states and Washington, D.C. today.  Green Shoot Brands’ portfolio includes Auntie Anne’s, Carvel, Cinnabon, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jamba, and Nothing Bundt Cakes, all franchise brands owned by Atlanta-based Roark Capital Group.  Green Shoot also owns franchises of Little Caesars Pizza and PopUp Bagels.

Jack Brown's marks the firm's first owned and first non-franchise brand.  

Founders and childhood best friends Mike Sabin and Aaron Ludwig opened their first location in Harrisonburg, Virginia in 2009.  Today, the chain has grown to 22 locations across seven states with Virginia-Highland adding an eighth state and 23rd overall location.  A 24th unit is coming soon to Clarksville, Tennessee, a state already home to six locations.  

The sale of Jack Brown's is reminiscent of the September 2025 sale of Atlanta-based HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern (and parent company Big Table Restaurants) to Raleigh-based private equity firm Hargett Hunter.  

In other Virginia-Highland news, we are told that The Salty, which we first announced in June 2024, is reportedly planning to open "soon" at 1002 North Highland Avenue.  

Are you excited to hear that Jack Brown's will finally be opening in Virginia-Highland?  Have you ever been to a Jack Brown's in another city?  What is currently your favorite Virginia Highland restaurant?

Please share your thoughts below.