From Struggle to Smyrna Staple: The Untold Story of Varner's Tavern

Welcome to another episode of South Cobb LIVE!, where we spotlight the heart and hustle of local business owners building community through service, storytelling, and soul. In this episode, Elise White sits down with Nick Hanratty, the co-owner of Varner's Restaurant & Tavern in Smyrna, GA. What started as a post-Taco Mac venture is now a community staple serving wings, burgers, and family vibes for over 17 years. Nick shares his journey from part-time employee to co-owner, how Varner's became a second home for Eagles fans (Fly, Eagles, Fly!), and the powerful impact of building real relationships with guests and staff alike. You’ll hear how this beloved tavern survived the 2008 crash, created generational customer loyalty, and became a local legend—one lemon pepper wing at a time. 🍋🐔 ⚠️ Stick around till the end to learn how YOU can unlock a 15% discount on your next dine-in visit just by dropping one word in the comments! 📌 SHOW NOTES: 00:00 – Intro to South Cobb LIVE & today’s guest 01:15 – The origin story of Varner Tavern 04:45 – Surviving the Great Recession & finding Smyrna at just the right time 07:30 – From employee to co-owner: Nick’s story of grit and growth 10:20 – Building a culture of excellence and real community 13:05 – Eagles fan club, karaoke nights, trivia, and kids eat free Fridays 16:40 – The secret sauce: customer relationships & service-driven leadership 20:55 – Giving back: school PTAs, Milford Youth, and using space for fundraisers 23:00 – Elise’s rapid-fire “South Cobb Spotlight Sprint” 24:15 – Special offer just for YOU — don’t miss it! 👀 📍 Connect with Varner Tavern 🌐 varnerstavern.com 📸 @varnerstavern (Facebook & Instagram) 🎧 Follow South Cobb LIVE! 📲 @SouthCobbLive | @SouthCobbMedia 📍 Bringing community stories to your feed and your heart.