The torrential downpour of Monday morning, March 31, 2025, did little to hamper the spirits of a crowd ready to celebrate the re-opening of one of Lenoir City’s pillars of the community and among the most popular of area businesses.
A little less than a year after its initial closure, Aubrey’s was officially back and open for its appreciative customers.
The restaurant’s former location was acquired in January 2024, ultimately bringing about the business’ closure and causing most of its staff to disperse to other Aubrey’s locations in surrounding counties.
Managerial staff was given 75 days to move out and relocate employees as needed. As fate would have it, a property right across the street opened up just as owner Randy Burleson was closing up shop in the original spot.
In an interview with The News-Herald, Lenoir City Mayor Tony Aikens recalled the moment he was made aware of the eatery’s revival in the community.
“I get a call coming down the interstate,” Aikens said. “The owner of the property called, and said: ‘Do you want Aubrey’s or do you want Outback [Steakhouse]?’
“And I said, ‘There’s no question — Aubrey’s.’”
‘EVERYBODY’S EXCITED’
Aikens also spoke to the community reaction as anticipation grew and grew in the months leading up to the recent grand opening.
“Everybody’s excited,” Aikens said. “Everybody I’ve been talking with … not just Lenoir City residents but residents out in the county.
“Aubrey’s just has a good, consistent food quality. It’s top notch, and we’re certainly glad to have them reopened.”
That being said, however, the moment of triumph for residents and restaurant patrons wasn’t without its delays. What was initially scheduled as a 110-day venture would eventually turn into an almost year-long effort with signatures, paperwork and red-tape interferring with development.
In January of this year, they experienced another delay when furniture couldn’t be shipped in due to the snow.
Nevertheless, Burleson said the Lenoir City mayor and the Loudon County community continued to support him — and the eatery’s owner emphasized his gratitude for being able to keep the restaurant alive.
Burleson also explained some of the consistencies and some of the alterations that have come with the new location. … The staff, who were relocated to various branches across the area during the first closure, see about half that original workforce returning to Lenoir City. As far as the restaurant itself, nothing has changed drastically despite some of the interior decorating.
THE ‘NEWEST PROTOTYPE’
Burleson said with this now being the newest Aubrey’s location, its being referred to as the “newest prototype” within the larger chain.
“I’ve already had other managers at the other restaurants want to have remodeling budgets, so they can make their restaurant look like this one,” Burleson said.
Mayor Aikens spoke to the ongoing growth in the city and Loudon County, believing that the reopening of this staple establishment will only go to further develop the Town Creek area in Lenoir City. The mayor said he’s had several calls with businesses in the area and — while no names were given — Aikens stated that he thinks local residents will be “very happy” with future developments.
The crowd buzzing with excitement both last week and in recent weeks surrounding the new and improved site was just one indicator of the passion residents have been harboring in the year leading up to this day.
“Its been packed ever since they’ve been open,” Aikens said.
“They’re just a great community partner. … Randy and his staff just do a great job.”
The first Aubrey’s opened in Farragut back in 1992, founded by then-MBA candidate at the University of Tennessee and part-time dishwasher Randy Burleson. Now there are 14 locations across the region with the parent company of Aubrey’s — Burleson Brands — owning a number of other local restaurants and businesses.
The company is a constant partner with its designated community at every location … and Lenoir City is no exception. Aubrey’s hosts fundraisers for high schools and celebrations of local student-athletes, among other charities — all at zero cost to the participating organizations.
Attendees of the March 31 ceremony in Lenoir City included Mayor Aikens, members of the Lenoir City Council, Loudon City Mayor Jeff Harris, state Rep. Lowell Russell, Loudon County Economic Agency executive director Jack Qualls, Aubrey’s owner Randy Burleson and, of course, the new and returning staff of the restaurant itself.
For more information about Aubrey’s, visit online at www.aubreysrestaurants.com.
