Ready for a second helping of some of the best cuisine in the area, Memphis diners? Popular restaurant Brain Food Memphis is ready to feed that need; the concept-already a hit in Cordova-is getting ready to open its new Downtown spot, and it will be an exciting evolution of the known and loved eatery.
Helmed by visionary Tredarious Hayes, Brain Food Memphis will be launching its second act at 121 Union Avenue. Hayes was kind enough to speak with What Now Memphis about what’s in store for the restaurant’s next chapter.
Hayes explains that Brain Food’s Cordova location created a strong jumping off point for the brand, but not its final form. He states: “It is not the full restaurant vision for Brain Food Memphis. On a typical operating day out of that kitchen, we push out around 100 orders, so it has been a strong proof of concept for the demand and consistency of the brand. It has allowed us to stay active, keep serving customers, and continue growing while we work toward opening downtown.”
“The downtown location will be much more of a complete customer experience.” Hayes explains. “It will give us the ability to present Brain Food Memphis the way we truly envision it, with a dedicated branded environment, a more intentional dine-in atmosphere, broader hospitality, and an overall experience that goes beyond just order fulfillment. It will also allow us to expand the presentation of the brand and create something that feels more immersive and representative of who we are. In short, Cordova is operations-driven, while downtown is intended to be the full expression of the brand.”
Brain Food Memphis’s Downtown home is in a high-visibility location, one that will allow the restaurant to feed a large number of diners, while supporting the restaurant’s growth. “It felt like the kind of location that matches where the business is headed.” says Hayes. “We have built a loyal following through meal prep, catering, private chef work, and high-volume food service, and downtown gives us the chance to bring all of that together in a more polished, full experience. We wanted a space that could better reflect the level of food, service, and atmosphere we are known for.”
While the Downtown storefront is a major step forward, it is only the beginning for Brain Food Memphis. The concept has drawn considerable attention from potential investors and partners in major metropolitan areas-put simply, the idea has legs.
Brain Food Memphis has the sort of Cinderella story any restaurateur would be proud of. Hayes describes the eatery’s trajectory, saying: “The journey of the brand itself has been something we don’t take lightly. Brain Food Memphis started from very humble beginnings, selling food out of Airbnbs and building a customer base one order at a time. Since then, we have grown into serving Fortune 500 companies, consistently catering for NBA teams, and working with high-level clients in environments we honestly couldn’t have imagined early on. We have even had the opportunity to cater on a private jet for the Houston Rockets, which was a full-circle moment for us. That growth has reinforced that what we’re building has real reach and staying power.”
While Brain Food is clearly destined for big things, Hayes and his team are currently focused on ensuring the success of the new Downtown location. An opening date is not yet available, but Hayes assures hungry locals that the restaurant will be customer-ready very soon, stating that it is in the final stretch.
Brain Food’s next act is sure to be one to watch; Hayes offers a beautiful summation of the brand’s newest home and what it will mean for the concept and the city at large, saying: “It has become a brand built around quality, consistency, creativity, and representing Memphis in a way that feels elevated but still relatable. Being downtown allows us to be closer to a wider mix of locals, visitors, professionals, events, and foot traffic, while also giving us a stronger flagship presence…. Our goal is to deliver something Memphis can be proud of, and we are doing everything we can to see that through.”
