Kitchen Social, a restaurant based in Columbus, Ohio, is planning its first location in Charlotte and its second out-of-state location. It will open at 104 S. Sharon Amity Road in Cotswold Village, according to a recent permit filing. The team is targeting a January 2027 opening, co-owner Brian O’Malley told What Now Charlotte.
The brand currently has six restaurants, including two in Columbus, two in Cleveland and one in Cincinnati. The team just opened its first out-of-state location in Sarasota this month. The expansion to Charlotte is part of Kitchen Social’s push to grow beyond a regional brand in Ohio.
The team is opening the Charlotte location in a 4,200-square-foot space with a 1,000-square-foot patio. O’Malley said the goal is to bring a bright, airy experience to customers, with features including an indoor-outdoor bar, an open kitchen and a spacious patio with firepits.
“We’re four guys who have been friends for a long time, so part of it was we wanted to open was something non-chain and non-corporate,” O’Malley said.
The made-from-scratch menu is designed to offer “a little bit of everything,” O’Malley said. It features elements of Indian, Asian, Mexican and Italian cuisine. Signature dishes include cheddar and scallion biscuits, whipped feta and crispy Thai shrimp. Additional entrees include Szechuan noodles, crab crusted cod, chicken katsu, teriyaki chicken and blackened chicken sandwiches. They also serve brunch on the weekends. The beverage program focuses on infusions and unique cocktails, as well as a curated wine list.
The team is aiming to expand further with an emphasis on intentional growth. Ultimately, their focus is on providing an affordable, high-quality menu.
“We want people to be able to afford to eat there, and I’d rather get you in twice a month at $25 than once a month at $40,” O’Malley said. “If you make the price point right, and then you follow that up with the food, the service and the overall experience, then that’s how you get them back in, and that’s what we’ve been really lucky doing so far.”
