After 40 years in business, Arnold’s Country Kitchen, Nashville’s most popular meat-and-three restaurant, is closing. The news was announced on the restaurant’s website, shared by owner Rose Arnold, who admits this is not the way she wanted their closure to be announced.

“I was waiting until next week to release this statement, but a reporter disrespectfully released a story early without my consent and before all of my employees could be told,” Rose writes.

In the statement, Rose explains why she and her husband, Jack, have decided to close.

“Arnold’s Country Kitchen has been a forty-year journey for our family, far beyond what we could have ever imagined,” the owners write. “There is no way for us to encapsulate in words our gratitude to Nashville. We’ve built so many lasting friendships and connections within our community, you are why we’ve worked so hard for so long. Arnold’s is much more than running a restaurant; to us it is hosting family each-and-every day.”

The owners go on to express their gratitude at the customers who continued to show up, amid “recessions and pandemics,” before explaining why now feels like the right time for Arnold’s to close.

“As a small independent business, it takes a lot of time and energy to operate Arnold’s, and we’ve been at it a long time,” the owners say. “Serving you has kept us going. We’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished thanks to you. We’ve decided the timing is right for us to now step away for some rest and to begin a new journey. This was 100 percent our decision, on our terms.”

Although the restaurant will close, the Arnolds do hint they might not be done serving food in and around Music City.

“We hope you’re able to look back on our history and smile,” they conclude. “Don’t take this to mean goodbye for good, as we hope there is more to come for Arnold’s in Nashville. But for us now, we’re excited for an uncharted future. Thank you for making it all possible.”

The James Beard Award-winning restaurant has been featured in Garden & Gun, Southern Living, Bon Appetit and more.

Arnold’s is located at 605 8th Avenue South. Their final day of operation will be on January 7. More information can be found at ArnoldsCountryKitchen.com.