Federal agents hit Zipps Sports Grill sites across the Valley today. Homeland Security Investigations executed coordinated federal search warrants at about 15 locations tied to the Phoenix‑area chain. Some doors closed for a time. Parking lots were taped off. Staff and customers were told to wait or leave while agents worked.
What happened and what we know
Agents arrived in a tight window at lunchtime. They focused on multiple restaurants across the metro area. This was a planned action, not a single‑site stop. The locations varied. The approach looked similar at each spot, with plainclothes and uniformed officers serving paperwork and securing areas.
Officials have not said what the investigation is about. No arrests were announced. No charges were named. A search warrant signals that agents are gathering evidence. It does not prove a crime.
Several restaurants limited access during the searches. Some closed for part of the day. Others kept kitchens or bars offline while agents moved through offices and storage rooms. After agents finished, most sites began returning to normal operations.
What a federal search warrant means
A federal judge must approve a search warrant. Agents must show probable cause. The warrant will list the places to be searched and the items to be taken. That scope can include records, computers, point‑of‑sale systems, payroll files, tax documents, and phones. Agents can copy data and remove devices. They must leave an inventory of what they take.
A search warrant is not a finding of guilt. It is a tool used to collect evidence during an investigation.
Homeland Security Investigations handles a wide range of cases. That includes financial offenses, customs violations, import and export schemes, labor and trafficking crimes, and some cyber matters. Today’s action could touch any of those areas. Until filings appear in court, the exact focus remains sealed.
Rights and duties on site
Owners and employees have rights when agents serve a federal warrant. Patrons have rights too. Everyone also has duties under the law.
- You can ask to see the warrant and keep a copy.
- You can remain silent and request a lawyer.
- You must not interfere with the search.
- You may be held on site for a short time while agents secure the area.
Agents can question people, but no one must answer without counsel, unless under a lawful order to provide basic identifying information. Managers can designate a point of contact to communicate with agents. Businesses should protect privileged materials, such as attorney communications, and flag them for agents.
If you are present during a search, stay calm. Ask for the lead agent, get a copy of the warrant, and contact counsel. Take notes of what is searched and what is taken when it is safe to do so.
Patrons can record from public spaces if they do not interfere. If agents restrict an area for safety, follow those commands. Leaving the area is usually allowed once agents finish securing the scene.
Do not destroy records, wipe devices, or move items listed in the warrant. Obstruction is a separate federal crime.
What to watch next
The next signals will come from official channels and the courts. Key markers to track include:
- A public statement from Homeland Security Investigations, if released.
- A company statement from Zipps leadership to staff and customers.
- Unsealed court documents, such as inventory returns or affidavits, if a judge lifts any seal.
- Any later arrests, charges, or civil enforcement actions.
Court filings may first appear as a sealed docket entry. After agents file their return, an inventory can become public. That list can show what was taken and from where. If prosecutors seek charges, they may go to a grand jury. That process is secret until an indictment is filed.
What this means for customers and workers
For now, your favorite location may operate on adjusted hours as management assesses the impact. Gift cards, tabs, and reservations are business issues, not legal orders, unless agents seized specific systems. Employees should wait for direction from company counsel and HR. Workers who met with agents should write down the date, time, and names present, then speak to counsel if needed.
Local city permits and liquor licenses remain valid unless a regulator takes action. If this investigation touches licensing, the Arizona Department of Liquor could open a parallel review. That would follow its own notice and hearing process.
The bottom line
Today’s coordinated warrants at Zipps are a major federal move, not a final verdict. The law gives agents power to seize evidence. It also protects the rights of owners, workers, and customers. We will watch for court filings and official statements. Until then, caution is wise. Conclusions are not.
