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Guy Fieri Kicks Johnny Garlic's, Tex Wasabi's Out of Flavortown

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He's no longer involved with the company he co-founded 20 years ago

Guy Fieri and some... coleslaw?
Guy Fieri and some... coleslaw?
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Guy Fieri, America's favorite technicolor dream chef, is changing his Flavortown address, as co-founder Steve Gruber announced the official purchase of Fieri's stock today. The company, which the partners founded 20 years ago, owns and operates eight locations of Johnny Garlic's and one Tex Wasabi's in Santa Rosa.

However, the news of the split isn't exactly new. As Eater reported, Fieri has been trying to dissolve the 20-year-old company that he founded with co-owner Steve Gruber since December 2015, causing Gruber to file petition to stop the dissolution and purchase Fieri's shares. There was already trouble brewing in hair-adise however, evidenced by the sudden closure of the Sacramento location of Johnny Garlic's. Now, without its spiky-haired shaman of fusion on board, the company will be moving in a different direction, according to a press release. That direction includes craft beer and small plates, apparently, which seems like quite a deviation from the brand's warm embrace of dishes like "Bourbon Buffalo Meatloaf" and "Sashimi Won Tacos."

Fans of Fieri's unique brand shouldn't be too disappointed: They'll still have access to Donkey Sauce and other such bold delicacies at Guy's American Kitchen and Bar in New York, Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar and the newly opened El Burro Borracho (which, for non-Spanish speakers, translates to The Drunk Donkey) at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas.

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming to changes to Johnny Garlic's and Tex Wasabi's.


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