When you think about Downtown Franklin several things come to mind, such as good food, rich history, and a quaint, homey atmosphere. Puckett’s Grocery has fit right in for 20 years now.
Once upon a time, in 2002, there was a family grocery store in Leiper’s Fork that needed a new owner. After receiving more than one phone call from friends suggesting that he buy it, Andy Marshall, Memphis-born and Franklin-raised, rode in on his white horse of hospitality and purchased the country store, giving it a new lease on life. Soon after, he decided it might be a good idea to throw the restaurant business into the mix alongside of the grocery store. “That’s how it all started,” he says. “I bought a smoker, put it out in the parking lot, and went back to my roots of ‘low and slow’ cooking.” From there, the Leiper’s Fork business exploded. Puckett’s even got a write-up in The New York Times describing it as one of the best unknown restaurants worth the drive. Before long, however, the popularity grew to a point that Leiper’s Fork couldn’t contain. “On the weekends, we had people who would sit in the bed of their trucks or open up their trunks and sit out there and eat because there wasn’t room in the restaurant,” says
Marshall. That’s when he knew it was time to expand.
In 2004, unsure whether he could match the success he had enjoyed in Leiper’s Fork, with his Franklin roots close to his heart, Marshall thought that might be a good place to start. He decided to take over what was originally a blacksmith shop in 1913, later a bicycle shop, and then a specialty foods store. “The feeling, the community – everything that made the Leiper’s Fork location special, we hoped that we could duplicate in Franklin. And that’s what exactly happened,” he says. At first, during what is sometimes referred to as the “Franklin revival,” the business hit a couple of bumps in the road, to put it literally. Fourth Avenue was under construction as well as the new courthouse and the parking garage that faces Puckett’s. Eventually, all those bumps were smoothed out, and the location of Puckett’s was the envy of the town. From there, business took off and Marshall never looked back. Puckett’s has done more than feed and entertain the people of Franklin and its visitors for two decades. It has also been involved in several community efforts including saving the cherished Franklin Theatre.
Of course, you can’t think of Puckett’s without good food and good music coming to mind. At one point, Marshall says, all the of the recipes coming out of his kitchen were either his own family recipes or recipes from people who worked at the restaurant. From the Smoked Meatloaf and the Piggy Mac to the Music City Hot Chicken Sandwich and the Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding, you can’t beat cooking that comes from the heart, and the Puckett’s menu is full with just that.
Music is also a huge part of the Puckett’s experience. Not only is Puckett’s the birthplace of several musicians’ careers like Chris Jansen, Walker Hayes, and Jimmie Allen, to name a few, but some all-time music greats have also graced the stage of Puckett’s including the legendary Vince Gill. “I don’t want to own a restaurant that you just unlock the doors and see who comes in,” says Marshall. “I want us to be a part of the community, and I want the community to know that they can depend on us.”
Puckett’s kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration of the Franklin location in September with an entire month of special events and surprises. Giveback Tuesday was held every week, which donated 20 percent of profits on those days to the Boys and Girls Club – a program close to Marshall's heart, having been a member himself as a child. “The Boys and Girls Club instilled a lot of courage in me to believe in myself,” he says. Thursdays became Throwback Thursdays where select menu items either still on the menu or returning from years past were featured at their price from 20 years ago.
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Puckett’s celebration without the music. Some of the original singers and songwriters that have called Puckett’s home over the years made an appearance to commemorate the milestone. On top of the special deals and entertainment, Puckett’s also gave away a year of barbecue sauces and spices and hid prizes in the restaurant for customers to discover such as hats, mugs, t-shirts and gift cards. “We wanted the celebration not to be about us. We really wanted it to be about those that have made Puckett’s – our associates, our customers, the artists that have graced our stage,” says Marshall.
A calendar featuring all scheduled musical acts at Puckett’s Franklin may be found at Puckettsrestaurant.com/music#franklinmusic. PuckettsRestaurant.com/franklin