Scotty’s plans new restaurants, loses contracts on others

Scott Wise, who operates nine restaurants in Indiana through his company A Pots & Pans Production, plans to open two more restaurants in Indiana next year.

However, his company also is losing the management contracts on two restaurants that carry the Scotty's name—Scotty’s Lakehouse at Geist Reservoir and Scotty’s Burger Joint in Columbus, Pots & Pans said Wednesday in a written statement.

Wise's company said it has signed letters of intent to open a Scotty’s Brewhouse  in Mishawaka in April and another in Fort Wayne in June. The company currently operates six Scotty's Brewhouses, with three in Indianapolis and one each in Muncie, Bloomington and West Lafayette.

Pots & Pans said it has no ownership in Scotty’s Lakehouse and Scotty’s Burger Joint. The owner, MSCB Group LLC, hired the company to develop and manage the two restaurants.

MSCB Group did not immediately return a phone message left Thursday morning. Employees reached at Scotty's Lakehouse and Scotty's Burger Joint said the restaurants were still open as of Thursday, but referred further questions to MSCB Group.

Pots & Pans said its contract to manage the restaurants has been terminated effective immediately, but it is negotiating with MSCB to keep the eateries open at least until the end of the year "in the interest of associates and their families."

“The last thing we want during this holiday season is to financially impact the people who are the heart of our business and have loyally given their all in running our day-to-day restaurant operations,” said Wise in a prepared statement.

Pots & Pans also operates Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Co. in Broad Ripple.

Wise, who started his first restaurant in Muncie more than 15 years ago, told IBJ in 2010 that he'd eventually like to open Scotty's locations across the country.