Rivals Hot Dogs Is Not Closing, Owner Says

Despite the sign at the front counter at Rivals Hot Dogs, the Loganville restaurant famous for its chili dogs and Sloppy Joes is not closing this month. 

"We're going to keep chugging along," said owner Chuck Sasser. 

Sasser cited financial issues as the reason why he was considering closing Rivals, which started in Loganville in 2009. He decided to keep doors open this week after announcing the addition of hot wings to the menu, hoping the change will bring more people in to dine. 

Customers can start ordering the wings, which will be offered in a variety of sauces including lemon pepper and teriyaki, starting Jan. 2.

"It's looking good. I've got a few pieces of the puzzle in place," Sasser assured. "I don't see us closing in a month or two months."

The possibility to shut down by the end of the year isn't the first hiccup Rivals has seen. When the restaurant almost closed in 2010 at its old location, the community made sure it would stay open in January 2011. But health issues arose, causing Sasser to put Rivals under new management. That plan didn't work out, so Rivals temporarily shut down. Sasser reopened in May 2013 at 6550 Georgia Highway 20. 

Sitting on the same corner as a gas station miles away from other businesses and retail stores, the new location isn't exactly ideal for foot traffic, though.

"It's just a way out of town," said Sasser. "The lunch crowd is decent, but at night, it's dark out here. There's no Walmart, no Kroger, no dollar stores." 

Being also the holidays, Sasser has seen less and less customers. But he's hoping more food options will bring more people out to his neck of the woods. 

He feels confident that if the restaurant makes it through winter, Rivals will be OK.