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Nashville Lifestyles: You’re about to open your fourth Party Fowl location with a fifth one on the way this summer in the Nashville airport; was this always your plan from the beginning? When did you decide it was time to start expanding the brand?
Austin Smith: When we started Party Fowl we thought we had a really cool concept being the first full-service and full bar hot chicken restaurant in Nashville. We wanted our little spot to become a staple. As we approached year two, we saw the potential of the brand and decided to expand. We’re thrilled to now bring our fourth Party Fowl location to Cool Springs in February, as well as to the Nashville airport later this year.
Austin Smith
NL: How does each location differ from one another?
AS: Each location has its own personality while holding true to who we are. The Gulch location sees a lot of locals who live nearby or are heading out to concerts and ball games, but we also see a tremendous amount of out-of-towners there as well. The Donelson location is a local spot for family get-togethers, ball games, private events (we have a very large event space!), and is also home to our largest patio. Our Murfreesboro location gets a lot of families as well thanks to our proximity to the Discovery Center. The Murfreesboro and Donelson locations are also homes to their respective Liverpool FC groups. They’re like family!
NL: What do you always try to keep consistent with each Party Fowl location?
AS: Each location keeps our standard of cooking from scratch with quality ingredients, great service, and the fact that it’s a great place to watch a game. However, the most important part, and this is driven home in every employee interview and throughout training, is that we are a big family. We are all very, very close.
NL: Each Party Fowl location seems unique, is there a reason you chose these parts of Middle Tennessee to open in?
AS: The Gulch was pure luck. I wanted to be close to downtown but not so in the middle of Downtown where we would be white noise. The Gulch location’s building was only half the size it is now and was in very rough shape. We invested a lot in that building. It’s our first baby. Murfreesboro is where I bought my first home and where I brought my first two children home. My father lived there as well. We knew the challenge of our location there but, much like the Gulch location, we liked bringing something back to life.Donelson is the reason my family ended up in Nashville to begin with. My mother moved here at 17-years-old to sing at Opryland USA, I attend Donelson Church of Christ across the street and my children were/are there for preschool. Growing up I always noticed 2620 Lebanon Pike where we‘re located. When this building became available it was the right time and right place. Lighting that big sign up was a very big moment for me.
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NL: For someone who has never been to Party Fowl before, what menu items do they absolutely have to order?
AS: We are known for our Saturday & Sunday brunch, so swing by from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. if you get the chance. Our “Brunch for Two,” which is a 55oz Bloody Mary topped with two Cornish game hens tossed in any heat level, two scotch eggs, eight fried okra, an avocado and olives is a must – but we only make six per day during brunch.If you come for lunch or dinner I highly recommend our Hot Chicken Beignets! We don’t do waffles. Our chef, Bart Pickens, is from New Orleans so we serve bourbon-glazed beignets with our hot chicken instead. This is life changing stuff here folks.
For more on Party Fowl visit partyfowl.com.