Spell Restaurant Group Sold Two Memphis BABALU Locations
The restaurant group transferred ownership of the Memphis sites to former director Jesse Robertson.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Dining Out
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Spell Restaurant Group has sold its two Memphis BABALU locations to former director of operations Jesse Robertson. Jason Oattis has also joined the deal as a minority partner.
Why it matters
The divestment allows Spell Restaurant Group to narrow its Memphis portfolio and concentrate local management efforts on the Brookhaven Pub and Grill.
Spell Restaurant Group owned the BABALU brand for seven years following a 2019 bankruptcy acquisition. The group currently operates six other restaurant locations in Florida.
The players
Jesse Robertson
He is the former director of operations for BABALU who has now purchased the two Memphis restaurant locations.
Spell Restaurant Group
This hospitality firm operates various dining establishments and previously held the BABALU brand since 2019.
Jason Oattis
He is a minority partner who joined Jesse Robertson in the acquisition of the Memphis restaurants.
The details
Jesse Robertson, who previously served as the director of operations for the BABALU brand, completed the acquisition alongside minority partner Jason Oattis. Spell Restaurant Group is shifting its focus to prioritize its Florida-based operations and its remaining Memphis property.
Timeline
Jesse Robertson became the assistant manager at BABALU Overton Square in 2016.
Robertson was named director of operations for BABALU in 2018.
Spell Restaurant Group acquired the BABALU brand in 2019.
The sale of the two Memphis locations closed on October 1, 2026.
Spell Restaurant Group plans to open a seventh Florida restaurant later this year.
Roadmap
This transaction represents a strategic departure from the expansion model initiated after the 2019 BABALU bankruptcy acquisition. The shift reflects a broader trend of hospitality groups consolidating assets to focus on core regional markets.
Patrons of the Memphis BABALU locations should expect the restaurant to continue operations under new ownership led by Jesse Robertson. The deal does not impact the ongoing management or availability of the Brookhaven Pub and Grill.
The takeaway
Leadership changes often signal a pivot in regional strategy for established hospitality brands. Diners can expect consistent operations while the company shifts its focus toward its Florida expansion.
What happens next
Spell Restaurant Group is scheduled to open a new restaurant location in Florida later this year.
Further reading
For more on the local culinary landscape, visit the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Commercial Appeal.
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