Arkansas restaurant owners are asking for community support as they work to recover from closures and lost revenue caused by a severe winter storm that forced many eateries to shut down for several days.
Owners say the financial impact was immediate, with missed sales making it difficult to cover payroll, utilities, and food costs. They say customer support in the days and weeks following the storm is critical to helping local restaurants rebound.
Among those affected is Burgers, Pies & Fries, a locally owned restaurant with locations in Searcy, Conway, and Jacksonville. Owner Seth Hoddard said winter weather disruptions—combined with long-term road construction near the Jacksonville location—have made community support more important than ever.
“The Winter Storm of 2026 affected everyone,” Hoddard said. “Schools and state offices were closed for a week, and customers had trouble even getting out. That makes it especially hard on small businesses and our employees who have been without work for over a week.” “We’re also incredibly thankful for everyone who continues to support our Jacksonville location, especially with the ongoing highway construction along Highway 167, now Interstate 57,” Hoddard said. “Every visit truly makes a difference. We’ve already seen at least one major chain close its Jacksonville location due to the business disruption.”
Known as the “Home of the Brisket Burger,” Burgers, Pies & Fries hand-grinds and hand-presses 100 percent beef brisket patties daily, serving fresh burgers, fries, and fried pies made to order.
Restaurant owners across Arkansas say choosing to eat local helps ensure community favorites can recover from severe weather and remain open for years to come.
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