Batesville Area Chamber celebrates opening of The Twisted Spud

The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed new member The Twisted Spud Sports Lounge with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony in downtown Batesville, marking the first ribbon-cutting of 2026 and the opening of the business’s new brick-and-mortar location.

Following the ribbon-cutting opening, the owners shared brief remarks.

Co-owner Alisha Hightower introduced herself and her husband, Donnie Hightower, as the team behind The Twisted Spud. She described the restaurant as the realization of Donnie Hightower’s long-held dream.

“Donnie’s concept was built through years of research, planning, and hands-on experience and tons of hard work,” Alisha Hightower said.

Known for its loaded baked potatoes, burgers, pizza burritos, and wings — a recent menu addition — The Twisted Spud began as a food truck, allowing the owners to refine their offerings and build a loyal following.

“We launched The Twisted Spud as a food truck in April 2024 with expectations to start slowly and one day open a restaurant,” Alisha Hightower said. “Instead, community interest remained strong and continued to grow. What was initially envisioned as a five-to-seven-year plan to open a brick-and-mortar location unfolded in approximately a year and a half.”

Donnie Hightower credited the support of the Batesville community for making the expansion possible, describing it as both humbling and a blessing. He thanked supporters and said he looks forward to contributing to what he described as one of the most vibrant periods downtown Batesville has experienced.

The Twisted Spud is located at 250 East Main Street in downtown Batesville. The staff can be reached at 870-613-7523 or thetwistedspud1@gmail.com. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557272476470.

Ambassadors in attendance include: Brandi Curbo (Batesville Guard), Brenda Rivera (First Community Bank), Candy Mitliff (Bennett Heating, Cooling, & Electrical), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Kaitlin Thorogood (Jay Chafin Insurance Agency), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Lucy Gonzalez Arizmendi (George’s Inc.), Micah Richardson (Citizens Bank), Michael Dickinson (City of Batesville), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Michele Jennae (EDG Coaching), Nathan Dowen (Citizens Bank), Rickie Westbrook (Centennial Bank), Robert Stephens (Network of Community Options), Roxanne Rananudo (Family Violence Prevention), Sarah Perkins (Mossy Oak Properties), Scott Phillips (UACCB), Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), and Taylor Williams (First Community Bank).

Image: Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce