Zipps Sports Grill locations raided across Phoenix area: Homeland Security Investigations issues 15 warrants, halts operations, asks customers to leave; here’s what happened next

Multiple Zipps Sports Grill locations across the Phoenix area in Arizona were raided by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and several other agencies on Monday afternoon (January 26, 2026). Federal agents served 15 search warrants, sending shockwaves across the region, and the operation quickly drew crowds of protesters to the area, Fox10 Phoenix reported.

The operation carried out on Monday was described by authorities as part of a 'months-long criminal investigation.' “The search warrants were authorized based on information presented to a federal judge and are being executed as part of a criminal investigation into felony violations of federal law,” US Attorney Arizona said in a post on X.

“Additional information will be forthcoming over the next few days as evidence is evaluated for charging as appropriate,” the post continued.

There are 14 Zipps locations in the Valley

According to Fox10 Phoenix, there are a total of 14 Zipps locations in the Valley: 5 in Phoenix, 4 in Scottsdale, 1 in Glendale, 2 in Tempe, 1 in Chandler, and 1 in Gilbert. The company also owns Goldie's Sports Cafe in Scottsdale.

Agents asked customers to leave and instructed staff to stop working

Witnesses claimed that there was a heavy law enforcement presence at the restaurants, leaving the customers and the staff in shock. Further describing the tense situation amid the operation, witnesses told local news outlets that agents entered several Zipps locations and instructed staff to stop working, as reported by IBTimes UK.

Employees were reportedly asked to leave the premises. They had their identification and documentation examined in some cases.

A customer who was eating at one of the locations said that officials entered the establishment and requested an immediate shutdown to investigate alleged identity theft, according to Fox10 Phoenix. Agents then started taping off the parking lots to secure the scenes.

No arrests were made during the federal operation

There were no reports of any arrests during the operation at the time of filing of this report. It also remained unclear whether the searches were linked to immigration enforcement, labor violations, financial crimes, or another alleged offense, according to IBTimes UK. Federal authorities have also not publicly identified any charges or the target of the investigation.