Zipps Sports Grill responds to federal investigation, hopes to reopen locations this week

PHOENIX — Zipps Sports Grill on Tuesday made its first public statement since federal agents raided its restaurants across the Valley a day earlier, saying it is working to reopen by the end of the week.

The statement, which was posted to the restaurant’s Instagram page and website, acknowledged Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) was operating with “court-authorized search warrants” and the chain is “cooperating fully” until the investigation is finished.

The nature of the investigation as well as any charges have not yet been announced, the statement said.

The statement also recognized some of the protestor rallies at Zipps Sports Grill locations demanding an end to federal immigration raids, advising those involved to “exercise caution and remain respectful of neighboring businesses, employees and the surrounding community.”

A protest was held Tuesday at the Zipps near Osborn Road and Central Avenue. Chants of “ICE out of Phoenix!” echoed throughout the gathering as organizers pressed for an end to large‑scale raids and for clearer communication from federal authorities about the purpose and scope of the investigation.

What did Zipps Sports Grill say in its first response to raids?

Here is the full text of the statement released by Zipps Sports Grill on Tuesday:

We are aware that federal authorities executed court-authorized search warrants at a number of our locations on January 26, as part of an ongoing investigation.

Federal officials have not shared details regarding the nature of the investigation, and no charges or allegations have been announced.

We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and working closely with our attorneys to understand the scope of the inquiry.

Because this is an active matter, we are unable to comment further at this time.

Zipps Sports Grill locations are currently closed, but we are working to reopen by the end of the week. We will notify our customers as soon as we resume normal operations.

Over the past 24 hours, some individuals have gathered near our locations to demonstrate. We respect the right to peaceful expression and ask that everyone exercise caution and remain respectful of neighboring businesses, employees, and the surrounding community.

Zipps Sports Grill was founded in 1995 and now includes 14 restaurants. The company also operates a corporate office and Goldie’s Sports Cafe in Scottsdale.

What is known about the investigation of Zipps Sports Grills?

HSI announced Monday that it and federal partners were serving federal search warrants at 15 locations throughout metro Phoenix as part of a monthslong criminal investigation. However, HSI did not specify what or where those locations were.

Local media outlets confirmed law enforcement activity Monday at numerous Valley Zipps restaurants as well as the corporate office.

“They entered very suddenly through the front door. I’m assuming the back door at the same time,” an employee at the 16th Street and Bethany Home Road location who did not wish to be identified told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “There (were) … 20 or 30 different agents. … Honestly very scary, a handful of my patrons were asking what was happening.”

The employee noted the restaurant received a call around 20 to 30 minutes before officers arrived, warning them about agents who appeared to be with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the parking lot.

“A lot of them had emblems that simply said ‘police.’ Whatever the breakdown for Homeland Security is, I don’t recall offhand. Many of them had ICE emblems,” the employee said. “They look very militarized as you would imagine. … There were a few who did not have their faces covered, but I would say at least 70% to 80% were trying to hide their identities.”

HSI said that the warrants being served were authorized by a federal judge based on information that was presented.

Immigration attorney Juliana Manzanarez and other community leaders, including U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, said the immigration raids created a climate of fear that extends far beyond the restaurant industry.

“I’m introducing legislation to drain ICE of its funding, of the $175 billion that they took away from your healthcare last year,” Ansari said.

KTAR News’ Kylie Werner and Serena O’Sullivan contributed to this report.

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