The story of Jared and Amanda Leonard used to be the kind of thing they make Hallmark movies about. It was the quintessential "couple with a dream" narrative. You had Jared, a guy obsessed with the low-and-slow craft of Central Texas brisket, and Amanda, a hospitality pro who knew how to make a dining room feel like a home. For years, they were the darlings of the Chicago and Denver food scenes. They weren't just selling food; they were selling a lifestyle of wood-fired pits, community classes, and "authenticity."
But lately, if you Google their names, you aren't seeing recipes for truffle mac and cheese or schedules for pitmaster classes. Instead, you're seeing headlines about federal indictments, unpaid taxes, and a staff walkout that felt more like a revolution than a resignation.
Honestly, it’s a mess. To understand how a Michelin-recognized empire collapses in under five years, you have to look past the glossy Instagram photos of smoked wagyu and look at the actual business mechanics—or the lack thereof.
The Rise: From Chicago Smoke to Denver Dominance
It all started back in 2010. Jared and Amanda opened Rub BBQ in Chicago, which eventually evolved into BBQ Supply Co. They were smart about it. They didn't just open a restaurant; they opened a "school" where people would pay to learn how to smoke meat. It was brilliant marketing.
By 2018, they decided to take their talents to Colorado. They rebranded BBQ Supply Co. into AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q in Denver. It was an instant hit. Jared was the face of the brand, often pictured in front of his massive Bewley smoker, while Amanda managed the "vibe" and the catering arm through their group, SSC Hospitality.
They weren't stopping at BBQ, though. They were aggressive. They launched:
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- The Budlong Hot Chicken (Nashville style)
- Grabowski’s Pizzeria (Chicago thin-crust)
- Campfire (Wood-fired concepts in Evergreen and Lakewood)
- Au Feu (Montreal-style brisket)
For a while, it worked. AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q even landed a spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. That’s the "holy grail" for mid-priced restaurants. It basically tells the world, "This place is world-class but won't break your bank."
The $1.6 Million Federal Indictment
The cracks started showing during the pandemic, but the public didn't see them until much later. In July 2025, a federal grand jury in Illinois handed down an indictment that changed everything. The allegations are heavy. Federal prosecutors say Jared Leonard lied on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications.
According to the indictment, he allegedly claimed AJ’s Pit Bar-B-Q had 117 employees and a payroll of $1.3 million. Prosecutors say the real number was nowhere near that. The government alleges he walked away with roughly **$1.6 million to $1.9 million** in fraudulent aid.
Where did the money go? The feds say a big chunk—about $1.2 million—was spent on a personal home in Evergreen, Colorado. While small business owners were struggling to keep the lights on, the Leonards were allegedly using taxpayer-funded relief to buy real estate. It’s a bad look, to put it mildly.
The En Masse Staff Walkout
While the federal government was building its case, the people on the ground—the cooks, servers, and pitmasters—were hitting their breaking point. In February 2025, the staff at AJ's Pit Bar-B-Q did something you rarely see: they quit all at once and posted a "closing" sign that aired all the dirty laundry.
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The allegations from the staff were harrowing:
- Stolen Taxes: Employees claimed that taxes were being deducted from their checks, but when they went to file their returns, the IRS had no record of the money.
- Missing W-2s: Many workers hadn't received tax documents for over a year.
- Ghost Payroll: Some employees alleged they were being paid via Venmo or Zelle, often with checks that would bounce.
- The Mexico "Hiding": At the time of the walkout, Jared and Amanda were reportedly in Punta Mita, Mexico, opening new restaurant concepts while their Denver staff was left wondering if their next check would clear.
Patrick Klaiber, who had been the general manager and pitmaster at AJ's for six years, was one of the many who walked. When your most loyal lieutenants start talking to the press about "red flags" and "financial irregularities," the "family business" facade is officially over.
The Fall of Campfire and Grabowski’s
The collapse was a domino effect. Within weeks of the AJ’s walkout, the Colorado Department of Revenue swooped in. They seized the AJ's property for nonpayment of taxes. Soon after, Campfire Evergreen, Campfire Lakewood, and Grabowski’s all shuttered.
There was even a weird trademark dispute with a place called Colorado Campfire. Jared had been told his name was too similar to an existing trademark, but he reportedly refused to budge, adding a layer of legal friction to an already stressed business.
Basically, the Leonards went from owning 10+ successful locations to being sued by distributors, landlords, and former employees for millions of dollars.
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What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think this was just "bad luck" or "the tough restaurant economy." And yeah, the full-service restaurant model is brutal right now. Food costs are up, labor is expensive, and margins are thin.
But the Jared and Amanda Leonard story isn't about a business that failed because people stopped liking BBQ. People loved the food. They failed because of alleged systemic financial mismanagement and a "growth at all costs" mentality that seemingly relied on taking shortcuts with the people who made the food.
Actionable Lessons from the Leonard Collapse
If you're an entrepreneur or just a fan of the local food scene, there are some pretty clear takeaways here. This isn't just gossip; it's a cautionary tale about the "move fast and break things" philosophy applied to the hospitality world.
- Check Your Paystubs: If you’re an employee, don’t just look at the net amount. Ensure your federal and state withholdings are actually being reported. You can check your "Social Security Statement" online to see if your employer is actually paying into the system.
- Scaling is a Trap: Growing from one great BBQ joint to ten different concepts requires a massive back-office infrastructure. If the "founder" is still trying to run payroll off their phone while opening a restaurant in Mexico, things will break.
- The Michelin Star Isn't a Shield: A Michelin recommendation means the food is good. It doesn't mean the books are clean. Don't assume a high-profile brand is a stable one.
- Transparency Matters: The moment a business owner stops being reachable by their staff, the trust is gone. The Leonards' move to Mexico during the height of their financial crisis was the final nail in the coffin for their reputation in Colorado.
The legal process for the PPP fraud and the various civil lawsuits is still playing out in 2026. For now, the "Leonard Empire" serves as a reminder that in the world of business, you can only smoke and mirror your way through so much before the fire goes out.
Next Steps for Impacted Individuals:
If you were a former employee of SSC Hospitality or any Leonard-owned entity and are facing IRS issues due to missing withholdings, you should file IRS Form 3949-A (Information Referral) to report employer tax violations. Additionally, contact the Colorado Department of Labor to file a formal wage claim to document your unpaid earnings for potential future recovery from liquidated assets.