The iconic Atlanta Burger & Bar business, The Vortex, has undergone a change in ownership, signaling a new era for the establishment. Multiple sources reveal that Taco Mac and The Vortex now share a common owner, confirmed by representatives for Taco Mac. The transaction was finalized at the close of 2023, with Nashville-based Fresh Hospitality leading the acquisition, in collaboration with partner Harold Martin Jr., a Morehouse graduate. This move adds The Vortex to Fresh Hospitality’s growing portfolio of regional concepts.
Founded on April 20, 1992, by siblings Michael, Hank, and Suzanne Benoit, The Vortex started in a modest space at the corner of West Peachtree and 11th Streets in Midtown. Its expansion included a second location in Little 5 Points on July 21, 1996, featuring the distinctive “Laughing Skull” facade. Having outgrown its original Midtown location, The Vortex relocated to Peachtree Lofts on Peachtree Street and reopened in a more spacious setting on November 11, 1997.
The ownership transition does not encompass the Laughing Skull Lounge, an intimate comedy club within The Vortex, as it remains independently operated. The future of the Laughing Skull Lounge is uncertain following the change in ownership.
Positioned as a 21+ venue, The Vortex prides itself on being an “Idiot Free Zone” and emphasizes delivering an exceptional dining experience. The restaurant is renowned for its trademark catchphrases such as “Like an orgy for your tastebuds” and “Make your liver earn its keep.” Its menu features creatively named food and drink items, with a highlight being the famous “Coronary Bypass Burgers,” ranging from approximately 3,700 to nearly 10,000 calories for the “Quadruple Coronary Bypass.”
The Quadruple Coronary Bypass burger is an extravagant creation featuring multiple griddled patty melts, Texas toast, sirloin patties, American cheese, fried eggs, bacon, grilled onions, diner relish, and mayonnaise, accompanied by a side of fries and tots topped with Cheesy-Cheese Goo™ and bacon bits.
The ownership change was confirmed through a statement indicating that the new owners, a local group of restaurateurs with ownership of Taco Mac and Mary Mac’s Tea Room, are committed to preserving Atlanta’s iconic restaurants. Fresh Hospitality, the undisclosed local group, had previously acquired Taco Mac in 2018 and Mary Mac’s Tea Room in 2020.
With controlling interest in nearly two dozen restaurant concepts, Fresh Hospitality assures patrons that the transition of ownership will not disrupt operations. The group emphasizes its commitment to quality, consistency, creativity, and community. Fresh Hospitality’s website notes its past ownership of Jim ‘N Nick’s BBQ.
The Vortex, like many restaurants, faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fresh Hospitality’s involvement in 2020 seemingly provided a lifeline, offering both a buyout and financial expertise to ensure the continued existence of The Vortex.
While there is no indication of expansion plans for The Vortex under new ownership, Fresh Hospitality has a history of managing various restaurant concepts. Over the years, the group has opened and closed locations, showcasing a dynamic approach to their restaurant portfolio. As for the Benoit siblings, Michael and Kristen, they also own Bone Garden Cantina, which will reportedly continue to operate independently at The Lumberyard Office Lofts on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. The restaurant was established in 2008.