Hey, Statesboro, you’ve been busy. From new openings and expansions in 2025 to projects already lined up for 2026, here’s a look at what came to the Boro and what’s still ahead.
As Statesboro continues to grow, so does its business landscape. Over the past year, the city and surrounding area have seen a steady mix of new openings, expansions, and projects moving toward completion — from locally owned shops and restaurants to national retailers setting up their first locations in the Boro.
This roundup highlights businesses that opened, expanded, or were officially announced during the year based on Grice Connect’s reporting. While every effort was made to include all known developments, this list may not capture every new business. Owners or readers who notice an omission are encouraged to reach out to us at [email protected] so it can be added or mention in the comments on social media.
Wayback Burgers
Wayback Burgers officially opened its Statesboro location in January 2025, adding another burger option to the city’s growing list of national chains. The fast-casual restaurant focuses on made-to-order burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes made with real ice cream, along with a wider menu that includes chicken sandwiches, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, and classic sides.
The company has said it aims to offer a balance between quality and affordability, positioning its meals between traditional fast food and higher-priced burger chains. The goal, according to staff, is to provide a solid, fresh meal without customers feeling like they’re paying premium prices for a casual dining experience.
The Statesboro location is part of the University Station shopping center near Publix, an area that continues to see new development tied to Georgia Southern University and the Highway 80 corridor. Wayback Burgers is located at 249 Tormenta Way, Suite B5, and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., offering dine-in and takeout options.
Gibson McDonald Furniture, Mattress & Appliance
Gibson McDonald Furniture acquired and reopened the former Badcock Furniture & More location in late 2024, ensuring Statesboro did not lose a longtime furniture and appliance retailer. The family-owned company, based in Blackshear, Georgia, quietly opened its doors at 1590 Northside Drive East, marking its 12th location and continuing a business that has operated since 1934.
While the name on the building changed, much of the store remained familiar to customers. Gibson McDonald retained the entire Badcock staff, including longtime store manager Judy Brown and the existing sales team, allowing for a seamless transition and continuity in customer service. The store continues to offer furniture, mattresses, appliances, and electronics similar to what shoppers had come to expect.
One of the key differences Gibson McDonald brings to Statesboro is its in-house financing model. Unlike large national chains, the company operates its own credit department, allowing staff to work directly with customers and offer flexible financing options. Company representatives have said this approach is central to their business and reflects their focus on long-term customer relationships and serving small-town communities.
Holy Pie Pizzeria
Holy Pie Pizzeria is now open in Statesboro at 355 Brampton Avenue, next to the Walmart Neighborhood Market, offering scratch-made pizza and a full menu built around freshness, family, and community. The restaurant officially opened in 2025 and is owned by Kendall Wilson and Olman Del Cid, longtime restaurant professionals who launched the concept after years working in both corporate and independent kitchens.
The menu at Holy Pie centers on dough made fresh daily and pizzas baked to order, alongside wings, calzones, sandwiches, salads, pastas, and desserts. Wings are seasoned and smoked in-house, calzones are baked and generously filled, and salads are prepared fresh each day. The restaurant has also gained attention for its warm, baked chocolate chip cookies and value-focused specials, including lunch slice deals and family-style meal options.
Beyond the food, Wilson and Del Cid emphasize a people-first culture, focusing on team well-being and neighborhood connection. Both owners live locally and say Holy Pie was built to serve the same community they raise their families in. With consistent crowds and strong early support, Holy Pie has quickly established itself as a go-to spot for families, students, hospital staff, and anyone looking for a locally owned pizza option in Statesboro.
The Sweet Impact (New Location)
The Sweet Impact officially opened a new, expanded storefront on June 27, 2025, relocating just across the street from its original location to 609 Brannen Street, Suite 2, next to Shogun. The move allows the popular bakery to grow its offerings while staying rooted in the same downtown corridor that supported it from the start.
Founded in 2024 by Robert Lucas, a cake artist and content creator with more than 3.3 million online followers, The Sweet Impact quickly became a local favorite for custom cakes and in-house baked treats. Known for sculpted cakes that blur the line between dessert and art, the shop also offers cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and cheesecake jars, drawing both national attention and steady local foot traffic.
The new space gives the bakery room to expand its menu, adding ice cream and a nostalgic old-fashioned candy bin section, creating a broader dessert experience for customers of all ages. With more space and new offerings, The Sweet Impact’s move represents not just a change of address, but a significant step forward for one of Statesboro’s most recognizable small businesses.
The Taj Authentic Indian Cuisine
The Taj Authentic Indian Cuisine opened in Statesboro in the second half of 2025, bringing traditional Indian dishes to 609 Brannen Street. The restaurant held a soft opening in July, allowing staff to begin serving customers while finalizing operations ahead of a full rollout.
The Taj offers a sit-down dining experience focused on authentic Indian flavors, with a menu that includes a variety of classic dishes such as curries, biryani, naan, and vegetarian options. The restaurant adds another international cuisine to Statesboro’s growing food scene, particularly along the Brannen Street corridor, which has seen continued restaurant turnover and new concepts in recent years.
With its opening, The Taj fills a gap for diners seeking Indian cuisine locally, reducing the need to travel outside of Bulloch County for similar offerings. As the restaurant continues to establish itself following the soft opening, it represents another example of how Statesboro’s dining options have diversified throughout 2025.
Hibachi Express & Ramen
Hibachi Express & Ramen officially opened in Statesboro in early February 2025, bringing a mix of hibachi, ramen, sushi, and boba tea to the growing Tormenta Way corridor near campus. Since opening, the restaurant has seen steady traffic, with managers noting consistent crowds driven largely by the location and demand for quick, quality meals.
The menu focuses on hibachi and ramen, offering options like chicken, steak, and shrimp hibachi plates served with fried rice and vegetables, along with a variety of ramen bowls. Sushi and appetizers such as shrimp tempura are also available, with boba tea being added gradually. Ramen has been a standout, filling a niche that has been limited in the Statesboro area.
Hibachi Express & Ramen also offers an affordable daily lunch special from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes a full meal and a drink for around $10 after tax. The restaurant is located at 309 Tormenta Way, Suite C3, and is open seven days a week, with extended evening hours on select days.
Little Harts Boutique
Little Harts Boutique opened in downtown Statesboro in February 2025, adding a new locally owned baby and toddler clothing store to Main Street. The boutique is owned by Cali Thomas and Parker Newhart and focuses on timeless, high-quality children’s clothing, along with in-house design and personalized monogramming services.
Located at 16 S. Main St., Little Harts features clothing designed by Thomas and produced through select manufacturers, with additional classic brands also available in the store. Lovey’s Designs operates a monogram embroidery studio inside the boutique, allowing customers to personalize items with quick turnaround times.
The shop was designed to feel welcoming and nostalgic, with an emphasis on creating an experience rather than just a retail stop. Little Harts is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., offering downtown shoppers a new option for children’s apparel and gifts.
Tierra Caliente Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Tierra Caliente Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened in March 2025 in Register, bringing what is believed to be the town’s first Mexican restaurant to the area. The family-operated business focuses on traditional Mexican dishes made fresh daily, with an emphasis on handmade tortillas and in-house preparation.
The restaurant is located at 9020 Kennedy Bridge Rd., Register, in a building that previously housed a convenience store and lunch counter before being renovated into a full-service restaurant. The menu includes traditional offerings such as slow-cooked pork ribs in salsa, mole, and rotating daily specialties, along with dine-in and takeout options. Beer and wine are also available, with plans to potentially expand beverage offerings in the future.
Tierra Caliente serves customers Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., adding a new dining option for residents in southern Bulloch County and surrounding communities.
Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza officially opened its Statesboro location in November 2024, bringing the fast-casual, build-your-own pizza concept to the growing Tormenta Way shopping area behind Publix. The restaurant is located at 301 Tormenta Way and is owned and operated by Grant Watkins and L.B. Watkins, both Statesboro natives, along with business partner Pete Kelly. The opening marked a hometown return for the Watkins brothers, who described the project as deeply personal.
The grand opening celebration drew strong community interest, highlighted by a free-pizza event, live music from local artist Brent Stephens, and appearances from other local vendors. The launch reflected Blaze’s focus on affordability, speed, and customization — allowing guests to choose from more than 45 toppings and sauces to create an individual pizza at a set price, including specialty ingredients and plant-based options.
Blaze Pizza’s arrival added another national fast-casual brand to Statesboro’s dining landscape while remaining locally owned and operated. The Statesboro location joined other Blaze restaurants operated by KW Restaurant Group across South Georgia and became part of a larger trend of new development and restaurant growth along the Highway 80 corridor.
Coastal Plains Home
Coastal Plains Home opened in downtown Statesboro in 2025, bringing a curated home décor and furnishings shop to Main Street. Owned by Lauren Stovall, the store focuses on interior décor that blends Southern charm with modern style, offering items such as furniture, linens, table settings, rugs, and locally made artwork.
Located at 3 N. Main St., Coastal Plains Home emphasizes quality and accessibility, with Stovall aiming to offer well-made pieces at approachable price points. The shop adds another locally owned retail option to downtown and contributes to the continued growth of Main Street as a shopping destination.
WhipItUp Engraving Studio
WhipItUp Engraving Studio opened its first brick-and-mortar storefront in 2025, expanding from online and custom-order work into a physical retail space. The husband-and-wife business, owned by Chris and Julianna Clifton, specializes in custom engraving and personalized products ranging from drinkware and leather goods to signage and home décor.
WhipItUp Engraving Studio is located at 1827 Northside Drive East and allows customers to browse products, discuss custom ideas, and see engraving capabilities in person. In addition to custom orders, the business plans to host creative events such as paint-and-sip parties featuring personalized wood signs, further adding to Statesboro’s growing small business and creative scene.
Newk’s Eatery
Newk’s Eatery opened its Statesboro location in September 2025, bringing the fast-casual restaurant’s made-from-scratch approach to the Highway 80 East corridor. Known for fresh ingredients and in-house preparation, Newk’s offers a menu of sandwiches, salads, soups, and pizzas, with an open kitchen where ingredients are sliced and prepared daily.
The Statesboro location is one of the brand’s newer prototypes, featuring a drive-thru and an expanded covered outdoor seating area. The restaurant is locally owned by veteran operators Rick Howard and Tiku Schroff and managed by Statesboro native Ron Flott. Newk’s Eatery is located at 23900 Highway 80 East and is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Franklin Collision Center
Franklin Collision Center officially opened its newly expanded, 30,000-square-foot facility in Statesboro in June 2025, marking a major investment by the Franklin Automotive Group and the next chapter in its long-standing presence in Bulloch County. The state-of-the-art center is located behind Franklin Chevrolet at 106 Northside Drive East and was unveiled during a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by local officials, community leaders, employees, and members of the Franklin family.
The multi-year project was described by ownership as the result of extensive planning, research, and community support. Speakers at the ceremony included Mayor Jonathan McCollar, Bulloch County Commission Chairman David Bennett, Bulloch County Development Authority Chairman Billy Allen, and Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns, each highlighting the Franklin family’s deep roots in Statesboro and their continued commitment to local growth. Leaders emphasized that the expansion represents more than a business upgrade, calling it a reflection of long-term confidence in the community.
The new collision center features advanced repair technology, air-conditioned work bays, expanded customer areas, and full in-house mechanical and safety calibration services. Franklin Collision Center leadership noted plans to grow the staff from 12 to more than 30 employees, positioning the facility as one of the most advanced automotive repair centers in southeast Georgia. The expansion reinforces the Franklin Automotive Group’s decades-long legacy of service while preparing the business for continued growth.
All the Fixin’s
All the Fixin’s opened its third retail location in Statesboro in late 2025, expanding the Georgia-grown business rooted in three generations of Tucker family pecan farming. Originally launched from a family orchard in Ocilla and later expanding to Twin City and Swainsboro, the Statesboro store marks the company’s newest milestone.
Located in the Woodlands Shopping Center at 721 S. Main St., the Statesboro location offers more than just pecans. The shop includes a café and gourmet market featuring breakfast and lunch items, desserts, coffee, ice cream, frozen casseroles, pies, and Southern-inspired treats, along with gift baskets and build-your-own boxes. While the menu has expanded over the years, locally grown pecans remain at the heart of the business.
All the Fixin’s in Statesboro is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., adding a locally rooted café and gift shop to the South Main Street corridor.
Flacos House
Flacos House opened in Statesboro in October 2025, bringing a mix of Mexican urban and street-style flavors to the local dining scene. Owned by Adolfo Mitchell, known as “Flaco,” the restaurant draws inspiration from his California roots and Mexican heritage, offering an alternative to the more traditional Tex-Mex options common in the area.
Located in the former Nikko Express space at 701 Piedmont Loop, Flacos House focuses on bold, street-style dishes and a welcoming atmosphere centered on hospitality. Mitchell has described the restaurant’s approach as “mi casa, su casa,” emphasizing that customers are treated like family. Popular menu items include birria tacos, which Mitchell has said are a consistent favorite across his restaurants.
Flacos House is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., adding another locally owned dining option to the Statesboro community.
Huey’s on Main New Orleans Cuisine
Huey’s on Main New Orleans Cuisine officially opened in downtown Statesboro in March 2025, celebrating its arrival with a ribbon cutting alongside city leaders and the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce. The restaurant is the second location of Huey’s on the River in Savannah and brings authentic New Orleans flavors to the Blue Mile.
Located at 232 S. Main St., next to the Quality Inn & Suites, the restaurant occupies a building that sat vacant for several years before being fully renovated from the ground up. The space features New Orleans–inspired murals painted by Casey Pope and a menu rooted in classic Crescent City dishes, including po’boys made with bread shipped from Louisiana, pasta jambalaya, gumbo, and Huey’s well-known beignets.
Huey’s on Main is open Monday through Sunday, serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., adding a full-service dining option to downtown Statesboro.
PJ’s Coffee
PJ’s Coffee officially opened its first Statesboro location in December 2025, bringing New Orleans–style coffee and fresh beignets to the city with a drive-thru focused concept. The shop is located at 23 Independence Way and is operated by local owners Thomas Scarborough and Jeramie Martin, who also own Huey Magoo’s in Statesboro.
The drive-thru location offers PJ’s signature menu of specialty coffee drinks, including its Original Cold Brew™ Iced Coffee, café au lait, pralines-inspired beverages, and seasonal offerings, along with freshly made beignets. Designed for convenience, the store also provides catering options for meetings and events around the community.
PJ’s Coffee is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., adding another national coffee brand to Statesboro’s growing Highway 80 and Independence Way commercial corridor.
Azul Tex-Mex (Second Location / Expansion)
Azul Tex-Mex expanded its presence in Statesboro in 2025 with the development of a second restaurant, building on the success of its original location. Co-owned by Lorena Cisneros and her business partner, the expansion came just two years after opening, driven by strong community support and steady demand.
The second location is housed in the former Moe’s restaurant on Brannen Street and was designed to accommodate more guests with mostly indoor seating, a small patio, and a drive-thru for added convenience. The menu features the same dishes customers have come to know from the original Azul, along with new items introduced as the second location takes shape. A full bar was also planned as part of the expansion.
In addition to the second restaurant, Azul Tex-Mex launched a food truck in 2025, allowing the business to cater events and expand its reach throughout the community. The original Azul location remains open, with owners continuing to make improvements to the space as the brand grows.
Wrens
Wrens Apparel has officially opened its Statesboro location, bringing its women’s boutique from Swainsboro to the Tormenta Way area behind Publix. The store is located at 221 Tormenta Way, Statesboro, GA 30458, expanding the brand’s footprint into one of the city’s fastest-growing retail corridors.
Originally founded in Swainsboro, Wrens Apparel offers women’s clothing, shoes, and accessories with a focus on timeless style and quality craftsmanship. The boutique carries a wide range of curated pieces, including tops, dresses, denim, footwear, accessories, and home and gift items, designed for customers looking to elevate both everyday and special-occasion wardrobes.
One of the standout features of the Statesboro location is the Wrens Hat Bar, which allows customers to fully customize hats with elements such as burned branding, hat bands, feathers, stitching, and other personalized details. The Statesboro store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering another locally rooted shopping option for downtown visitors, Tormenta Way shoppers, and the surrounding community.
Eyemart Express
Eyemart Express is now open in Statesboro at 225 Tormenta Way, adding a full-service eyewear and vision care provider to the growing Tormenta Way corridor behind Publix. The new location offers prescription and non-prescription glasses, eye exams, and walk-in availability, giving residents a convenient option for same-day vision needs.
One of Eyemart Express’ defining features is its in-store lens lab, which allows approximately 90% of glasses to be made the same day. The company partners with licensed optometrists to provide comprehensive eye exams for patients of all ages, including vision testing, prescriptions, and care for common eye conditions. Most major vision insurance plans are accepted, with affordable options also available for those without coverage.
In addition to everyday eyewear, the Statesboro location offers safety glasses, sunglasses, and specialty lenses, including polarized, photochromic, and UV-protective options. Customers can shop in-store or order online for in-person pickup or home delivery, making Eyemart Express a one-stop destination for both eye care and eyewear in Statesboro.
Sugar Polish
Sugar Polish officially opened its doors in Statesboro on August 17, bringing a new luxury nail salon to the Tormenta Way area. Located at 253 Tormenta Way, Suite B6, the salon celebrated its grand opening after a soft launch earlier in the week, giving owner Lisa Nguyen and her team time to prepare before welcoming the community in full.
After spending nearly a decade working in the nail industry, Nguyen said opening Sugar Polish marked a long-awaited personal milestone. The salon offers a full range of nail services, including acrylics, Gel X, dip powder, and builder gel, but places particular emphasis on its pedicure experience. Treatments feature additional steps, specialty ingredients, massage elements, and hot towel finishes, designed to create a more relaxing, spa-like visit than a standard nail appointment.
Beyond nail services, Sugar Polish sets itself apart with a built-in bar serving mocktails, boba tea, and light snacks, adding to the salon’s vacation-style atmosphere. The opening also carries a local family connection, as Nguyen previously worked at Annie’s Nails, owned by her cousin Kally Giang, before launching her own salon. Sugar Polish is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., adding another self-care and beauty option to Statesboro’s growing business scene.
Elevate with Ogeechee Health
Ogeechee OB/GYN has expanded its healthcare offerings in Statesboro with the opening of Elevate with Ogeechee Health, a women’s wellness and medical aesthetics center located at 1501 Brampton Avenue. The new facility operates as a separate, purpose-built space designed to bridge the gap between traditional OB/GYN care and whole-person wellness, offering non-surgical treatments in a private, spa-like setting led by board-certified physicians.
According to physicians with Ogeechee OB/GYN, Elevate grew out of years of patient conversations about concerns that often went unaddressed — including pelvic floor weakness, postpartum changes, urinary leakage, body tone loss, and skin changes related to aging or weight loss. Until now, patients seeking these services often had to travel to larger cities like Savannah or Atlanta. Elevate was created to bring those options closer to home while keeping care rooted in medical training rather than cosmetic trends.
The center offers advanced technologies focused on pelvic health, muscle toning, body contouring, and skin rejuvenation, with treatments overseen by local physicians rather than operating as a traditional med spa. While built with women’s wellness at its core, some services are also available to male patients. With its opening, Elevate adds a new healthcare resource not only for Statesboro, but for the broader Southeast Georgia region.
The White Moth Home Market
The White Moth Home Market has opened its doors in Statesboro, adding a locally owned furniture and home décor business to the South Main Street corridor. Located at 721 South Main Street, Suite 12, the shop specializes in refinished furniture, custom-built dining tables, and a curated selection of unique home décor pieces designed to help customers create warm, personalized living spaces.
According to the business, The White Moth Home Market focuses on breathing new life into old furniture while also crafting custom pieces from the ground up. Their work ranges from refinishing and restoring existing items to building one-of-a-kind dining tables, blending craftsmanship with a modern, lived-in aesthetic. The store also carries a variety of decorative accents intended to complement both classic and contemporary homes.
Early customer response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong reviews highlighting the quality of the pieces, fair pricing, and friendly service. The opening of The White Moth Home Market reflects continued interest in locally driven retail in Statesboro, particularly businesses that emphasize customization, craftsmanship, and home-centered design rather than mass-produced furnishings.
The Saucy Shrimp (Reopened)
The Saucy Shrimp made its return to a sit-down restaurant in 2025, reopening in a new building at 727 Buckhead Drive in the Statesboro Crossing shopping center.
Known for its Low Country boils and seafood-focused menu, The Saucy Shrimp offers a variety of dishes built around fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Menu staples include Low Country boils, fried and grilled shrimp, gumbo, po’boys, hush puppies, crab cakes, and desserts, along with specialty sauces that have helped define the restaurant’s identity.
Even while operating primarily from the food truck, The Saucy Shrimp remained a popular option at local events and festivals. The reopening of a permanent sit-down location allows the business to once again offer a full dine-in experience while continuing to serve the dishes that built its local following.
More to come in 2026
Annie’s Nails (Expansion)
Annie’s Nails announced a major expansion in 2025 that will make it the largest nail salon in Statesboro once construction is complete. Owners Tom and Kally revealed plans to expand the original Annie’s Nails location by taking over the former Sully’s Steamers space next door on Bermuda Run Road.
The renovation will more than double the size of the salon, allowing for additional stations and increased capacity while maintaining the service that has made Annie’s a longtime favorite in the community. Construction is already underway, with the expanded space expected to be completed in March 2026. Annie’s Nails will remain open throughout the renovation.
Gas Pro
A new Gas Pro convenience store and fuel station is moving forward at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Burkhalter Road, following county approval earlier this year. The project received a land disturbance permit in 2025, with building permits currently in progress, signaling that site work is expected to begin.
The development was approved by the Bulloch County Board of Commissioners in April 2025 by a 4–2 vote on a conditional use request that allows for a drive-through facility as part of the project. The remainder of the fuel station and convenience store is permitted under the property’s existing Highway Commercial zoning. While no construction timeline has been announced, the project represents a significant commercial addition along the Highway 80 corridor.
HomeGoods
HomeGoods has been confirmed as a new national retailer coming to Statesboro, with plans to locate in the former Kmart building at 430 Northside Drive East, Suite 100, in the Southern Square shopping center. The confirmation came in 2025 through sign permits issued by the City of Statesboro, officially identifying the long-anticipated tenant for the vacant property.
The off-price home furnishings retailer, a sister company to T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, is known for its rotating selection of home décor, furniture, kitchenware, rugs, and decorative accessories. While an official opening date has not yet been announced, the project represents a major step in the revitalization of the Southern Square area and marks a significant commercial addition to the Northside Drive corridor.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is set to open its first Statesboro location after receiving approval from Statesboro City Council in September 2025. The restaurant is planned for 24087 Highway 80 East, redeveloping the former Applebee’s site, which has been vacant since 2017.
Council approval cleared the way for demolition of the existing building and construction of a new Raising Cane’s designed with a double drive-thru and expanded vehicle queuing areas. The project replaces the former sit-down restaurant with a smaller footprint focused on high-volume, drive-thru service, reflecting the chain’s quick-service model.
Raising Cane’s is known for its streamlined menu centered on chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and its signature Cane’s Sauce. The addition further expands Statesboro’s already competitive chicken restaurant market along the Highway 80 corridor. While construction is expected to move forward, an official opening date has not yet been announced.
Dutch Bros Coffee
Dutch Bros Coffee has announced plans to open its first Statesboro location in early 2026, bringing the popular drive-thru coffee chain to the Highway 80 corridor. The new shop will be located at 23974 U.S. Highway 80, between AutoZone and Newk’s Eatery, an area that continues to see steady commercial growth.
Founded in 1992 in Oregon, Dutch Bros is known for its upbeat service model, drive-thru focused design, and a wide menu of made-to-order beverages. Offerings include specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, cold brew, and the brand’s signature Dutch Bros Rebel® energy drinks. While construction and opening details have not yet been finalized, the announcement adds another major national coffee brand to Statesboro’s expanding food and beverage scene.
2025 Closings & Transitions
Vandy’s Bar-B-Q
Vandy’s Bar-B-Q, one of downtown Statesboro’s most historic restaurants, appears to have closed sometime in 2025. No formal public announcement regarding the closure has been made, and no official closing date has been reported. The restaurant is no longer operating.
The most recent coverage of Vandy’s came in fall 2024, when the restaurant reopened following extensive renovations to the Vine Street location. If confirmed, the closure would mark the quiet end of one of Statesboro’s longest-running food establishments, with roots dating back to 1929.
Southern Palace
Southern Palace is no longer operating at its former Statesboro location. No public announcement regarding the closure was made.
The space is now being prepared for a new restaurant called Z-Best, which has not yet opened. Based on available information, Z-Best is expected to open in early 2026.
Nikko’s Express
Nikko Express closed sometime prior to fall 2025. No formal closing announcement was made.
The location is now occupied by Flacos House, which opened on October 6, 2025, at 701 Piedmont Loop, continuing the space’s use as a restaurant with a new concept.
Sully’s Steamers
Sully’s Steamers closed its Statesboro location in 2025, announcing the decision through social media. The post thanked customers, staff, and the community but did not provide detailed reasons for the closure.
The restaurant opened in early 2024 in the Market District behind East Georgia Regional Medical Center and marked the brand’s first Georgia franchise.
Statesboro Hots
Statesboro Hots closed on February 6, 2025, according to a public message from owners Pat and Allie Groom. The owners cited personal and family priorities and thanked the community for its support.
The restaurant opened in 2022 and was known for bringing upstate New York–style comfort food to Statesboro.
Soyumi Asian Kitchen
Soyumi Asian Kitchen permanently closed on March 16, 2025, ending more than seven years of operation in Statesboro. The closure was announced publicly by ownership.
Located in the Statesboro Crossing shopping center, Soyumi opened in 2017 and was known for sushi, Asian fusion cuisine, and special events. It is now being occupied by Saucy Shrimp.
Claire’s
Claire’s confirmed plans to close its Statesboro Mall location in 2025 as part of a nationwide reduction following the company’s second Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
The closure was part of a corporate decision impacting multiple locations across the country.
