It’s been a bizarre two weeks for Even Stevens, the Utah-based chain of sandwich shops that has East Valley locations in Chandler, Gilbert, and Tempe.
On July 18, Even Stevens was locked out of its Tucson location. The building was emptied, and a notice posted by the landlord read:
‘‘Tenant has failed to pay the Rent owned and due under the Lease. Despite written demand, Tenant has failed to cure its default of the Lease.’’
On its Facebook page, however, the Tucson Even Stevens posted:
‘‘Sorry for the inconvenience, Tucson! We will be closed for the next few days for training!’’
And, indeed, the restaurant reopened several days later.
Then, last Friday, July 27, many, if not all, Even Stevens locations closed with notices on the Facebook pages of various locations such as this one from the Tempe shop:
Due to supply delivery issues we will be closing at 8pm today, July 27. We apologize for any inconvenience.
The closed locations – including Chandler, Gilbert, and Tempe – all reopened Monday, July 30, without any more explanation.
Even Stevens’ national Facebook page has not posted since July 25.
It’s strange behavior for a chain widely admired for its philanthropic policy of donating a sandwich to a non-profit for every sandwich it sells. Last month, it celebrated three million sandwiches donated.
Also last month, though, it saw the unexpected departure of company president Michael McHenry, which came in the wake of an SEC lawsuit in May charging Even Stevens co-founder Steven Down with fraud.
The charges weren’t related to the restaurants, but instead to a number of events centers that Down built, including one in Gilbert. The SEC charged Down misled investors about the profitability of the centers.
According to the lawsuit, Down’s corporation and its related entities owe outstanding amounts on 20 buildings. (You can read more about the SEC lawsuit here.)
Down originally agreed to pay a $150,000 fine, but said last Friday – the same day the restaurants mysteriously closed – he was withdrawing from the deal.
