Katie Maloney Addresses ‘Weird Conspiracies’ About the Delayed Opening of Sandwich Shop

Heavy/NBCUniversal Katie Maloney.

“Vanderpump Rules” star Katie Maloney is addressing rumors about her and her castmate, Ariana Madix’s upcoming West Hollywood sandwich shop, Something About Her.

During an appearance on the December 12 episode of the “Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe” podcast, Maloney acknowledged that some fans have questioned why the restaurant has not yet opened. She also noted that she and Madix have sold a significant amount of merchandise to help fund the establishment.

“It will open when it’s open, you guys. I promise it’s coming. But now there’s been like all these weird conspiracies that we’re scamming people. It’s a front, just to sell merch. I’m like, ‘That’s a really expensive thing that we did.’ Well, take your tinfoil hats off. It ain’t a conspiracy theory,” said Maloney.

The 37-year-old also explained why the restaurant’s opening date has been repeatedly pushed back.

“We have to meet certain standards that the health department requires us to meet. We have to have a fire department come in and cross off those things. And the thing is sometimes those things take time. Some things you can’t just call them up and they’ll be like, ‘Be there in five.’ Sometimes you are trying to plan a time for, like, weeks. And then you have to have those things fixed,” said Maloney.

She stated that while there are “easy fixes” to remedy some issues, she and Madix have had to hire professional help. She also explained she and Madix “want to be as methodical and thought-out and detail-oriented as possible” before welcoming customers to avoid failure.

“Do you think if I had it my way, it would be taking this long? No. But also, I remember Ariana and I met with consultants, they said, ‘Just to prepare you, like, this isn’t open and shut in, like, six months. It can take up to 24 and 36 months,’” said the reality television star.

Katie Maloney & Ariana Madix Spoke About Their Restaurant in October 2023

While speaking to Forbes in October 2023, Madix explained why she and Maloney wanted to have a restaurant. She stated that they do not believe being a Bravo star is a sustainable career.

“I think both of us are very well aware that Vanderpump is not something that will last forever. Both of us have dreams and goals for the rest of our lives. It’s important to work hard and establish those things when you can,” stated the “Single AF Cocktails” author.

Maloney also stated that she is not interested in simply becoming a social media influencer when she no longer stars on “Vanderpump Rules.”

“I think it’s also important to actually connect to something that we’re doing and not just have it be just another product to hawk and push to people. think that’s often what a lot of people get caught up in doing,” said Maloney. “The majority of our life experience has been in restaurants with bartending, so kind of leaning into that more and not trying to run away from that — and not having it feel like this is for the show, or this is for story. No, this is something I’m going to be doing long after the show.”

Ariana Madix Discussed Something About Her Having Some Roadblocks in a November 2023 Interview

During a November 2023 interview with Us Weekly, Madix shared that she and Maloney have struggled with some roadblocks when it comes to their upcoming restaurant.

“We’re trying to focus on the things that we can control. And then the powers that be with the things that we can’t control. We’re just rolling with the punches,” said Madix.

Maloney chimed in that they have continually had to deal with various issues when attempting to get Something About Her ready for customers.

“That’s the thing is that every time we turn around there’s something else,” said Maloney.

“Vanderpump Rules” season 11 premieres on Bravo on January 30.