The patrons and staff of Nashville’s E3 Chophouse were stunned when the restaurant, co-owned by “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan, closed “abruptly” on February 19, 2026, according to the Tennessean.
The upscale restaurant is co-owned by “American Idol” judge Luke Bryan and his famous friends, fellow country star Jason Aldean and former MLB first baseman Adam LaRoche. Over Valentine’s Day weekend, it was business as usual at E3 Chophouse, which ran a special promo for couples — but days later, the restaurant shut its doors and told customers the team is considering their options.
Restaurant Co-Owned by Luke Bryan Says It Closed to ‘Evaluate What Nashville Needs Next’
Bryan, Aldean, and LaRoche opened E3 Chophouse in November 2019 in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village neighborhood. In 2013, LaRoche and his two brothers opened the first E3 eatery in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, according to the restaurant’s website. One of them, Jeff LaRoche, has served as head of operations for both locations.
On February 19, the steakhouse posted a notice on its site and social media accounts that said, “Nashville — we’re hitting pause. We’re temporarily pausing operations as we evaluate what Nashville needs next. Our team is assessing market opportunities and exploring potential rebrand and re-concept strategies for the future of this location.”
Comments were disabled on the restaurant’s social media accounts, but employees and customers have found other places to air their grievances, including in the Nashville Hospitality Professionals Facebook group, where employees have claimed they were given no warning about the closing.
Someone else requested advice for a friend who’d paid a $2000 down payment for an upcoming group event but has not been able to reach management since the closing.
GettyBryan, Aldean, and LaRoche met while filming the hunting show “Buck Commander,” LaRoche said in a statement as E3 was opening.
Noting that they’d talked for years about opening a chophouse in Nashville, LaRoche added, “This is the town they call home, and they’re directly involved in the development and design of the restaurant. It’s come a long way from Luke wearing the E3 hat I made us a novelty many years ago, and we are humbled and excited to bring the restaurant to Music City.”
Luke Bryan Also Has His Own Nashville Venue, Luke’s 32 Bridge
The E3 Chophouse isn’t the only restaurant Bryan is involved with. He owns the popular restaurant and bar Luke’s 32 Bridge, located in the heart of Nashville on Broadway. The six-story entertainment venue features three stages and seven bars.
Bryan opened that venue in 2018, which was the same year he became a judge on “American Idol.”
Luke’s 32 Bridge, named after a favorite bridge in his Georgia hometown, is part of the TC Restaurant Group, which also runs eateries owned by country stars Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Morgan Wallen, Aldean, and others. The group says Bryan’s giant venue is one of the “top destinations” in Nashville.
