What Happened to Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean's E3 Chophouse Lawsuit?
Country music stars Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, along with former MLB player Adam LaRoche, are facing a lawsuit filed by GBT Realty Corp over alleged unpaid rent and lease breach for their co-owned Nashville restaurant, E3 Chophouse. The restaurant closed in early 2026, leading to a legal battle for past-due rent and future lease obligations. Despite this business dispute, Bryan and Aldean maintain a strong personal friendship and are currently co-headlining a 2026 tour and have released new music together.
Quick Answer
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean are currently involved in a lawsuit filed by GBT Realty Corp, the landlord of their former Nashville restaurant, E3 Chophouse. The lawsuit, amended in June 2026 to directly name the country stars, alleges unpaid rent for January and February 2026, a breach of lease, and seeks payments through August 2029, totaling over $1.4 million in damages. The restaurant announced a temporary closure in February 2026 and vacated the premises in May 2026. Despite this business challenge, Bryan and Aldean continue to demonstrate a close personal and professional relationship, having recently released a duet and embarked on a co-headlining tour in 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
E3 Chophouse Nashville Opens
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, along with former MLB player Adam LaRoche, open the E3 Chophouse steakhouse in Nashville's Hillsboro Village neighborhood.
Luke Bryan Supports Jason Aldean Amid 'Try That In A Small Town' Controversy
During a concert, Luke Bryan dedicates his song 'Huntin', Fishin', and Lovin' Everyday' to Jason Aldean, who was facing significant backlash for his song and music video 'Try That In A Small Town.' This publicly demonstrated their strong friendship despite external controversies.
Bryan and Aldean 'Pre-Game' Election Night Together
Jason Aldean's wife, Brittany, shares a photo of Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean celebrating Election Day together, further showcasing their close friendship and shared political leanings.
Jason Aldean Discusses 'Friendly Rivalry' and Best Friendship with Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean speaks about his unique friendship with Luke Bryan, calling him his 'best friend in the business' and acknowledging their playful rivalry, particularly regarding their number of No. 1 hits.
E3 Chophouse Allegedly Misses Rent Payment
According to a lawsuit filed by GBT Realty Corp, E3 Chophouse failed to pay its monthly rent for January 2026.
E3 Chophouse Announces Temporary Closure and Misses Second Rent Payment
E3 Chophouse announces a temporary pause in operations to 'evaluate what Nashville needs next.' Concurrently, it allegedly misses its February 2026 rent payment.
Bryan and Aldean Co-Headline UGA Sanford Stadium Show
Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean reunite to co-headline a sold-out show for 63,000 fans at UGA Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, showcasing their continued professional collaboration.
Jason Aldean Releases 'Songs About Us' Album Featuring Luke Bryan Duet
Jason Aldean releases his new album, 'Songs About Us,' which includes their first true duet, also titled 'Songs About Us,' further highlighting their enduring friendship and musical partnership.
Bryan and Aldean Announce 'Double Down Tour 2026'
Following their successful Georgia show, Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean announce an expansion of co-headlining stadium dates, the 'Double Down Tour 2026,' scheduled to begin in August.
E3 Chophouse Vacates Premises
After legal actions unfolded over several months, E3 Chophouse vacates the property and returns the keys to the landlord, GBT Realty Corp.
Amended Lawsuit Filed Naming Bryan and Aldean Directly
GBT Realty Corp files an amended lawsuit, directly naming Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean as defendants, alongside Adam LaRoche and Outlaws LLC, for alleged unpaid rent and lease breach of E3 Chophouse.
News Reports Detail Lawsuit Against Bryan and Aldean
Multiple media outlets report on the amended lawsuit, bringing the legal action against Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean for the E3 Chophouse to public attention. A spokesperson for the ownership group states they had no prior knowledge of the amended complaint and are working towards a resolution.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The alleged dispute surrounding Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean is not a personal feud between the two country superstars, but rather a significant business lawsuit related to their co-owned Nashville steakhouse, E3 Chophouse. The restaurant, which opened in 2019, announced a temporary pause in operations in February 2026, citing a need to 'evaluate what Nashville needs next.' However, this pause quickly escalated into a legal battle when Nashville-based developer GBT Realty Corp, the property's landlord, filed a lawsuit alleging unpaid rent and a breach of the lease agreement.
According to court filings, the E3 Chophouse ownership group failed to pay rent for January and February 2026, shortly before its closure. GBT Realty Corp initially secured a court ruling awarding them over $1.4 million in damages for the closure and failure to surrender the space, a decision which the restaurant's legal team has since appealed. A key turning point occurred on June 12, 2026, when GBT Realty Corp filed an amended lawsuit directly naming Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean, along with former MLB first baseman Adam LaRoche and Outlaws LLC (the company holding the lease), as defendants. This expanded the liability beyond the original defendants to include the celebrity investors directly. The lawsuit seeks past-due rent with interest, payments through the remainder of the lease term (which runs to August 2029), and costs associated with the delay in vacating the property.
Representatives for the E3 Chophouse ownership group stated that none of the partners had prior knowledge of this amended complaint and that a resolution is already being pursued. The restaurant ultimately vacated the premises and returned the keys in May 2026, suggesting a permanent closure. The consequences of this lawsuit could include significant financial liabilities for Bryan and Aldean, depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings and appeals. The situation highlights the risks associated with celebrity business ventures in the hospitality sector.
Despite this ongoing legal challenge, the personal and professional relationship between Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean remains strong. They have a long-standing friendship, dating back nearly two decades, and frequently collaborate. In April 2026, they co-headlined a sold-out show at UGA Sanford Stadium and subsequently announced the 'Double Down Tour 2026,' an expansion of co-headlining stadium dates set to kick off in August 2026. Furthermore, they released their first true duet, 'Songs About Us,' on Aldean's album of the same name in April 2026, further cementing their bond. This continued collaboration and public display of friendship indicate that the business lawsuit has not created a personal rift between the two artists.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean's E3 Chophouse Lawsuit made different choices?