Details on the first of three new gourmet biscuit restaurants coming to Lexington
A major new restaurant will be coming to a vacant spot at the East End of Lexington’s Main Street.
Louisville-based Biscuit Belly will bring its first Lexington location to 652 E. Main St., in the former A&W burger restaurant that had been a Long John Silver’s before that. A&W closed in September 2020.
The fast-casual breakfast and brunch concept is expected to open in mid-September.
Two more Lexington locations of Biscuit Belly are expected to open in the winter of 2022, according to the company. Biscuit Belly plans to add 20 to 25 new locations by the end of 2021.
The Lexington locations will be run by franchisees Jay and Kelly Shoffner, who also operate KFC and Long John Silver’s locations throughout Kentucky, Southern Indiana and East Tennessee. They plan to open three Knoxville Biscuit Belly locations as well.
“My daughters are based in Louisville and they raved about the Biscuit Belly concept, so when I heard the news that the brand was now franchising, we jumped at the chance to partner with one of the most craveable fast-casual concepts on the market,” said Jay Shoffner, in a news release.
“Founder Chad Coulter and wife, Lauren’s enthusiasm for Biscuit Belly along with the brand’s roots in my home state (Kentucky) motivated me to pursue this strong investment opportunity. We look forward to bringing our experience with owning and operating mature restaurant franchises to the emerging Biscuit Belly concept and opening our first location in Summer 2021.”
Founded in 2019 by the Coulters with partners Chuck Schnatter and chef Tavis Rockwell, Biscuit Belly is has three locations in Louisville, with plans for more.
The menu features gourmet biscuits sandwiching a wide variety of ingredients including buttermilk fried chicken thighs or smoked brisket.
Or go for both with the Belly Buster: A biscuit with the fried chicken, sausage, bacon, brisket, cheddar, mushroom gravy and and over-easy egg.
The menu also includes a few non-biscuit items like goetta and pancakes. There are a gluten-free and vegetarian options, including a veggie gravy. Smoked or crunchy tofu can be substituted for other proteins but there are no vegan options.
And they serve brunch cocktails and mimosas.
Founder Chad Coulter said last year the concept has a gourmet menu, delivered quickly, at a price point a little below competitors like Wild Eggs or First Watch, other popular breakfast/lunch chains.
Lexington was part of a 10-franchise expansion Biscuit Belly announced Wednesday, which also included four locations coming to Alabama with a separate franchising company.
Biscuit Belly Lexington
Where: 652 E. Main St.
Hours: Open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Online: Biscuitbelly.com
