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The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department (OTRD) has entered into a conditional agreement with Lookout Kitchen to reopen restaurants across several Oklahoma State Parks.
This decision follows a recent shutdown of all state park dining locations due to a dispute over past-due payments.
Background: Restaurant Closures Spark Concern
Last week, officials from Oklahoma State Parks announced the indefinite closure of restaurants operated by Lookout Kitchen, citing unpaid financial obligations.
At the time, Lookout Kitchen maintained that they were in compliance with their agreement, despite the closures.
After several days of negotiations, a conditional agreement has now been finalized, allowing restaurants to resume operations while Lookout Kitchen works toward fulfilling its financial commitments.
Reopening Timeline and Locations
Per the announcement, the first restaurant to reopen will be at Lake Murray State Park, starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday with full breakfast service.
Additional locations set to reopen at 11 a.m. Wednesday include:
- Beavers Bend
- Quartz Mountain
- Robbers Cave
- Roman Nose
Lookout Kitchen’s Response and Commitment
JP Wilson of Lookout Kitchen expressed gratitude and enthusiasm in a news release:
“We made sure all of our team members were taken care of during this downtime, and we’re excited to get everyone back in the restaurants doing what they love. We love being a part of these amazing parks and local communities, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.”
Payment Plan and Conditions for Compliance
As part of the agreement, Lookout Kitchen has committed to paying off a total of $274,585.88 owed to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. Key details of the repayment plan include:
- An initial payment of $65,000 submitted on Monday
- The remaining five payments are scheduled from July 28 through November 15
During this period, Lookout will continue operating the restaurants conditionally, with ongoing reviews of their compliance.
Tourism Department’s Statement on the Agreement
Sterling Zearley, Executive Director of the OTRD, welcomed the agreement as a necessary step for park visitors:
“This agreement to reopen Lookout restaurants inside our state parks is a positive development for our park guests as we work to minimize disruptions to park operations. This agreed-upon payment plan gives Lookout a pathway to compliance, while also providing a valuable amenity to state park visitors.”
The conditional reopening of Lookout Kitchen’s restaurants marks a step forward in restoring dining services at Oklahoma’s state parks, ensuring minimal disruption for visitors.
With a structured payment plan in place, both the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and Lookout Kitchen aim to move forward collaboratively — balancing accountability with continued service to the community.