Reba McEntire Talks About How Managing Her Own Restaurant in Real Life Added a Sense of Realism to Happy’s Place

The country music star returned to her home state of Oklahoma for a special one-night event exclusively for sweepstakes winners.

For Reba McEntire, home is still unmatched.

The country icon was raised near the small town of Atoka, Oklahoma, and first appeared on a major stage just a short drive away in Oklahoma City, where she sang the national anthem at the National Finals Rodeo at only 19 years old in 1976. Now, 50 years later and with 35 No. 1 hits to her name, McEntire has become a worldwide star, but she says Oklahoma remains the place where she feels happiest.

On Thursday, April 9, she returned to Atoka for a special one-night-only performance at Reba’s Place, the three-level restaurant she co-owns with the Choctaw Nation, which opened in 2022. The event, titled One Night in Atoka, drew overwhelming interest, with over 38,000 people entering an online sweepstakes for just 75 pairs of tickets—something McEntire said truly surprised her.

“It has been huge, and it’s been a lot of fun,” McEntire, 71, shared exclusively with PEOPLE. “It’s better than simply selling tickets. I want people to enjoy themselves, come together as a community, and have a great time.”

She explained that the idea for the event came after her fiancé and Happy’s Place co-star Rex Linn was invited to host an awards show at the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. From there, the concept for a small special performance naturally developed.

Since opening in 2022, Reba’s Place has helped revitalize downtown Atoka. What was once a quiet area with few businesses is now lively, especially during events, with fans arriving in merchandise featuring McEntire’s name and image. Visitors often explore local shops and enjoy meals like chicken fried chicken at her restaurant.

McEntire describes entering the restaurant business as challenging but rewarding.

“It’s not for the faint of heart,” she said. “It takes a lot of dedication, effort, and passion. There are highs and lows, but we have an incredible team that truly cares, and that makes all the difference.”

Working with chef Kurtess Mortensen, McEntire continues to refine both the menu and the restaurant’s interior to keep it fresh for returning guests. Just before speaking with PEOPLE, she was even changing out displays of her iconic stage outfits on mannequins.

“We don’t want things to feel repetitive,” she said. “We update the menu regularly—the quail poppers are amazing, by the way—and we keep things interesting.”

Her real-life experience in hospitality also influences her role on Happy’s Place, where she draws on what she’s learned from running a restaurant.

“It gives me a sense of practicality for the show,” she explained. “When you understand how a kitchen works, you know what can realistically happen and what wouldn’t.”

The sitcom recently wrapped its second season earlier this year and was renewed for a third season in February, news McEntire said made her very happy.

“We just have so much fun together; it feels like a family,” she said. “The fans love seeing Melissa Peterman and me back together. Everyone involved is great—we can’t wait to start season three and see each other again.”

Unlike her character in her earlier sitcom Reba, where she played the grounded voice of reason, McEntire enjoys taking on a very different role this time around.

“In Reba, I was the sensible one,” she said. “Now, I’m definitely not. My character is more chaotic, and she doesn’t really know what’s going on.”