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J. Alexander’s Holdings is ‘pursuing strategic alternatives’ after tough year impacted by COVID-19J. Alexander’s Holdings is ‘pursuing strategic alternatives’ after tough year impacted by COVID-19

The J. Alexander’s Restaurant, Stoney River Legendary Steaks and Redlands Grill parent group is completing an evaluation after a 20% drop in sales in December

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

February 10, 2021

2 Min Read
j alexanders restaurant storefront 0
J. Alexander's continues to explore all options as sales slightly improve from December to January.J. Alexander's

Joanna Fantozzi

J. Alexander’s Holdings, Inc. — the Nashville, Tenn.-based parent company of J. Alexander’s Restaurant, Stoney River Legendary Steaks, and Redland Grill — provided a business update Tuesday after announcing in December that the company would be “pursuing strategic alternatives” following a tough year due to the economic effects of COVID-19.

The company did not discuss the results of the analysis so far, with J. Alexander’s chairman of the board, Lonnie J. Stout, saying that they have “committed to completing” the review as their restaurants slowly move toward full indoor dining capacity again.

As they previously reported, in October, the company’s sales were down 10% and in November sales were down 20%. Now the company has reported that in December sales were also down nearly 20% from the previous year, though when excluding the additional week in the month, December sales were down 35% from the previous year — with approximately in $850,000 weekly carryout sales — mainly due to continued indoor dining restrictions. In January, sales slightly improved and were down approximately 25% from January 2020, as COVID-19 restrictions began to ease.

“We are encouraged by the progress that we’ve seen over the first few weeks of 2021, and we’re excited by the upcoming opening of our first ground-up build of a Redlands Grill restaurant, which is set to open on March 29, 2021 in the La Cantera Heights area of San Antonio, Texas,” Mark A. Parkey, president and CEO of J. Alexander’s Holdings said in a statement.

Related:J. Alexander’s Holdings CEO on rapid pandemic recovery: ‘The worst of the storm has passed’

As of Feb. 7, the company is operating at approximately 60% capacity across its 46 locations. J. Alexander’s Holdings declined to provide guidance for fiscal 2021 in light of the ongoing pandemic.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @joannafantozzi

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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