Reba McEntire Shares How Running Her Real-Life Restaurant Helped Bring a 'Practicality' to Happy's Place

The country star spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about how her restaurant Reba's Place adds a 'practicality' to her role on the NBC series

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:04am

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An abstract, high-contrast close-up photograph of shimmering sequins and plush velvet textures, conveying the glamour and energy of the entertainment industry.Reba McEntire's restaurant venture has added a touch of real-world practicality to her acting role on the hit NBC series 'Happy's Place'.Atoka Today

Reba McEntire spoke exclusively with PEOPLE about how running her restaurant Reba's Place, located in her hometown of Atoka, Okla., adds a "practicality" to her role on the NBC series 'Happy's Place' ahead of a one-night-only performance for sweepstakes winners. McEntire opened Reba's Place in 2022 and says being in the restaurant business is "not for sissies", but the experience has helped her bring a "practicality" to her character on the show.

Why it matters

Reba McEntire is a country music legend who has transitioned into acting, starring in the NBC series 'Happy's Place' alongside her real-life fiancé Rex Linn. Her decision to open a restaurant in her hometown of Atoka, Oklahoma provides unique insights that she can draw upon to inform her character on the show, adding a sense of authenticity and realism.

The details

McEntire opened Reba's Place, a three-story restaurant in downtown Atoka, Okla., in partnership with the Choctaw Nation in 2022. She says running the restaurant has been "a lot of hard work and a lot of heart" and has helped her bring a "practicality" to her role on 'Happy's Place'. The restaurant has transformed the once-sleepy downtown Atoka, with fans flocking to the area to eat at Reba's Place and shop at local boutiques. McEntire is constantly updating the restaurant's menu and decor to keep things interesting for visitors.

  • Reba's Place opened in 2022.
  • McEntire performed a one-night-only show at Reba's Place on April 9, 2026.

The players

Reba McEntire

A country music legend who has transitioned into acting, starring in the NBC series 'Happy's Place' alongside her real-life fiancé Rex Linn. She opened the restaurant Reba's Place in her hometown of Atoka, Oklahoma in 2022.

Rex Linn

Reba McEntire's fiancé and co-star on the NBC series 'Happy's Place'.

Kurtess Mortensen

The chef who helps McEntire constantly tweak the menu and decor at Reba's Place.

Melissa Peterman

McEntire's co-star on 'Happy's Place', with whom she has a great on-screen chemistry.

Choctaw Nation

The Native American tribe that partnered with McEntire to open Reba's Place in Atoka, Oklahoma.

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What they’re saying

“It has been huge, and it's been a lot of fun. It's a lot better than just selling tickets. I want everyone to have a great time, to get the community together to fellowship and just enjoy themselves.”

— Reba McEntire, Country Music Legend

“It takes a lot of hard work and a lot of heart, a lot of want to. There's a lot of ups and downs and hard work, and we've got a group of people who work so passionately here at the restaurant. That's what it takes.”

— Reba McEntire, Country Music Legend

“Having that experience lets you know that if you're going to be one thing in the kitchen, you wouldn't be doing another thing somewhere else, just because of the way things work.”

— Reba McEntire, Country Music Legend

“We just have the best time, we've become like a family. The fans are thrilled, they love having Melissa [Peterman] and I back together.”

— Reba McEntire, Country Music Legend

“We really enjoy working together. We didn't know how it would work at first, with us being in a relationship, but man, it really couldn't be better. He has a lot of great ideas.”

— Reba McEntire, Country Music Legend

What’s next

NBC has announced that 'Happy's Place' has been picked up for a third season, which McEntire and her co-stars are eager to start filming.

The takeaway

Reba McEntire's experience running her own restaurant, Reba's Place, in her hometown of Atoka, Oklahoma has provided her with unique insights that she can apply to her role on the NBC series 'Happy's Place', adding a sense of authenticity and practicality to her character. This demonstrates how an actor's real-life experiences can inform and enhance their on-screen performances.