Chattanooga-based Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken is heading to the Sobro neighborhood this summer at 204 Third Avenue South. Rachael Goonan, who will be one of the owners for the new location, told What Now Nashville that they hope to open the 8,000-square-foot restaurant in July.
Currently, Goonan operates Champy’s locations in Murfreesboro and Smyrna alongside her husband, sister-in-law and brother-in-law. The Sobro location will be the first foray for the brand directly into Nashville.
“We’ve always wanted to continue to expand the brand into Middle Tennessee,” Goonan said. “We were looking around outside of Nashville, and this one came up at a perfect time to bring Champy’s to Nashville!.”
Using a 40-year-old family recipe, Seth and Crissy Champion launched Champy’s in Chattanooga in June 2009. Since then, it has grown to ten locations, with three in Chattanooga, one in Cleveland, Tenn., and four Alabama locations, in addition to the Smyrna and Murfreesboro spots.
As the name suggests, Champy’s is known for its fried chicken, as well as its Southern sides, Mississippi Delta homemade hot tamales and 40-ounce beers. All the food is made fresh, and the environment is designed to be fun and family-friendly. Goonan said that the Nashville location will maintain these signature aspects of the brand, but they also plan to lean further into their frozen drinks menu, featuring New Orleans-style daiquiris, pina coladas and frozen margaritas.
In addition to providing food in-house, Goonan said they will offer catering at the Nashville location to expand their reach throughout the city.
“We want people to come in and have a great time, watch sports games, drink and have a merry time in our restaurants, but we also cater to those who have luncheons around the area,” Goonan said.
Goonan and her team plan to continue to expand throughout Middle Tennessee, starting with the location this summer.
“We just want to provide people with a fun, enlightened environment and good food,” Goonan said.
