Nashville’s first Big Chicken location is opening this fall at 2141 Cane Ridge Road in Antioch’s Century Farms Development. Tennessee’s first two locations of the fast-casual opened earlier this year in Hixson and Chattanooga.
Both of those locations, as well as the upcoming Antioch location, are owned by franchisee Jim Richards of GVR Hospitality. Richards’ partnership with the chicken franchise was first announced in 2022.
What Now Nashville connected with Richards over the phone.
“Right now it feels like the whole world is coming to Nashville,” said Richards. “Things are getting competitive, but we want to get several concepts open across the area to keep up with demand.”
According to reporting by Nashville Post, Richards is also behind Fiamma Pizza Company along with partner Brion Voges. Andrew Gardner, Bruce Bowman and Rodney Hutson are set to be the operators of the upcoming Big Chicken locations.
Per previous reporting by What Now Nashville, Richards has restaurants open in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Madison and Hendersonville. Richards’ next locations of Big Chicken are set for the Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga markets.
“I am hoping to get this location opened no later than Q1 of next year,” said Richards. “We have two Big Chickens currently open in the Chattanooga area and are happy with how business has been there so far. As for additional locations we are looking at Murfreesboro, Smyrna and the Nashville area.”
Big Chicken was founded in 2018 and is backed by JRS Hospitality, Authentic Brands Group, and Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal.
A recent press release stated that Big Chicken has 30 traditional and non-traditional locations currently open and 350-plus restaurants in its development pipeline.
The Tennessean reports that Century Farms is a 300 acre development with an In-N-Out Burger, Chick-fil-A, Whataburger and Tanger Outlets. The area has been under construction for the last seven years, and news of Big Chicken’s signed lease follows a wave of ten other businesses investing in the space over the last year.
Editor’s Note: [This article has been updated to include quotes from franchisee Jim Richards.]
