Pihakis faces $23.4 million in lawsuits, liens: How did the restaurant group fall so far?

3 months ago 15

Valley Post entertainment district sits vacant following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis in Chelsea, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A graphic of restauranteur Nick Pihakis seen on the outside of Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. Hero Diner has temporarily closed following lawsuits against Pihakis. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Homewood, Ala., stands temporarily closed, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero doughnuts in Homewood, Ala., stands temporarily closed, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero doughnuts in Homewood, Ala., stands temporarily closed, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Luca Lagotto in Homewood, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero doughnuts in Homewood, Ala., stands temporarily closed, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ in Homewood, Ala., stands temporarily closed, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A graphic of restauranteur Nick Pihakis seen on the outside of Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. Hero Diner has temporarily closed following lawsuits against Pihakis. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., seen temporarily closed following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., seen temporarily closed following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., seen temporarily closed following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

A graphic of restauranteur Nick Pihakis seen on the outside of Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. Hero Diner has temporarily closed following lawsuits against Pihakis. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Hero Diner in downtown Birmingham, Ala., seen temporarily closed following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis, Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Valley Post entertainment district sits vacant following lawsuits against owner Nick Pihakis in Chelsea, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Luca Lagatto and Hero Diner in Homewood, Ala., Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

More than two months after the Pihakis Restaurant Group began closing its restaurants in four states, the company finds itself facing nearly a dozen lawsuits in two states seeking more than $23.4 million in unpaid bills.

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