Reynoldsburg’s long‑empty TGI Fridays site on Taylor Road is finally in line for a new tenant, as Bubba's 33, the sports‑bar spinoff of Texas Roadhouse, moves ahead with plans for its first Central Ohio location, city officials confirmed Monday. The chain has applied to redevelop the shuttered restaurant, with plans to demolish the existing building and put up a brand‑new Bubba’s 33 in its place. City staff is reviewing the application, and the developer has not released a construction schedule or opening date.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, Bubba’s 33 filed to open at 2928 Taylor Road SW, the former TGI Fridays that closed in October 2024. Mayor Joe Begeny told the paper that Reynoldsburg beat out a potential Polaris‑area site for the chain’s Central Ohio debut. City development director Eric Meyer said staff is now deciding whether the proposal needs Planning and Zoning Board approval or can move forward administratively.
What Bubba’s 33 Will Serve
Per Bubba’s 33, the concept leans into scratch‑made comfort food: stone‑baked pizzas, half‑pound burgers, and both traditional and boneless wings, backed by a full bar aimed squarely at sports crowds. The brand launched in 2013 and already operates multiple Ohio locations, including restaurants in Toledo and Canton. The Reynoldsburg spot would be its first outpost in Central Ohio.
Site Plans And City Review
"The plan calls for tearing down the existing building and building a new restaurant on the site," Mayor Joe Begeny told The Columbus Dispatch. City officials are now sorting out whether that redevelopment triggers public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Board or can be handled through administrative review. That decision will help determine how fast the project can move and how much formal community input is involved.
Why It Matters
Filling a high‑profile, vacant national‑brand storefront is expected to bring jobs and more evening activity to the Taylor Road corridor, while adding another dining option for surrounding neighborhoods. The move also fits into a broader push from parent company Texas Roadhouse: industry coverage and recent company filings describe Bubba’s 33 as a growing piece of the expansion strategy, as noted in reporting by QSR Pro and in Texas Roadhouse’s SEC filing. For now, the application does not include a firm construction timeline or opening date.
Next Steps
City officials say any required public hearings will be posted on the Reynoldsburg planning calendar, and the public will be notified if the proposal goes before the Planning and Zoning Board. This story will be updated when building permits are filed or the company shares a clearer construction and opening schedule.
