Chef Tiffani Faison to close Boston restaurants due to high costs

Chef and restaurateur Tiffani Faison has announced the closure of her Boston establishments, Sweet Cheeks Q and Fool’s Errand, citing unsustainable operating costs. Sweet Cheeks Q will cease service on November 24 after 15 years of operation. Because Fool’s Errand shares a liquor license with Sweet Cheeks Q, it will also close. Faison is currently seeking a new location for Sweet Cheeks Q and is working to transition her 45 employees to other venues within her Big Heart Hospitality group.

Faison attributed the decision to prohibitive expenses, including rising fuel charges, import taxes, and the difficulty of maintaining fair wages. These challenges reflect broader industry trends; a National Restaurant Association report indicates that total restaurant expenditures have increased by 36% since the pre-pandemic era. The closures follow similar patterns in the Boston dining scene, where other hospitality groups have recently declined to renew leases due to affordability issues.