The Spice of Life: Where to Get Nashville Hot Chicken in Franklin and Williamson County
Nashville hot chicken is an iconic Southern staple. The dish originated in the 1930s, at Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, a well-known Music City establishment that, in 2025, is still very much alive and well. As the legend goes, Thornton Prince, co-founder and namesake of Prince’s Chicken, was a womanizer. After a particularly uncouth night out, the woman he was seeing fixed him extra spicy chicken as an act of revenge. Unfortunately for her, this plan backfired. In fact, Thornton liked her pepper-loaded chicken recipe so much he took it and ran with it. Making it his own, he went into business with his brother, Will Prince, to open the first hot chicken shack. Now, nearly 100 years later, Prince’s Hot Chicken is still around in Middle Tennessee and Greenville, South Carolina.
Restaurants usually have their own spin on the popular dish, but a classic Nashville hot chicken recipe consists of Southern fried chicken tossed in a dry rub that’s made of cayenne pepper and other spices. Typically, it’s served on top of white bread with pickles on the side. Here in Williamson County, we’re just a quick drive down i-65 from the birthplace of the iconic platter. Naturally, in our corner of Middle Tennessee, there’s some excellent spots to grab a bite of Nashville hot chicken, whether you prefer it on the mild side or with some extra spice.
Hattie B’s
The red, neon sign of Hattie B’s may be well-recognized across state borders, but its origins are close to home. Shortly after introducing their own hot chicken spice blend to a Franklin, Tennessee favorite—Bishop’s Meat & 3—Nick Bishop Sr. and his son, Nick Jr. decided it was time to open a restaurant exclusively for Nashville hot chicken. In August of 2021, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken graced the streets of Nashville, just off of Broadway. Now there are a dozen restaurants across 5 states, with Hattie B’s dubbed a must-stop for tourists and locals alike.
Their chicken rises from Southern (“no” heat), to Mild, Medium, Hot (“everyday” heat levels), to Damn Hot!! And Shut the Cluck Up!! (as these names might suggest, this level is recommended only for the most devoted of hot chicken enthusiasts). The form your chicken comes in is up to you: sandwich, tenders, wings, etc. If you need a quick break from the spice, there are a variety of Southern sides and desserts to choose from. The Franklin location offers dine-in and takeout, as well as catering, so you can turn up the heat at your next special event.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Sunday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 230 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37064
Bishop’s Meat & 3
From the family who brought you Hattie B’s itself, Bishop’s Meat & 3 is a classically Southern dining experience. The Bishop family prides themselves on over 7 decades of food and hospitality service, complete with homestyle recipes that have stood the test of time. The restaurant is cafeteria style and has been a Franklin comfort-food staple since 2007. As stated before, Bishop’s Meat & 3 is the birthplace of the original Hattie B’s hot chicken recipe, so if you’re a big fan of the chain, you should certainly take Bishop’s for a spin.
Even if hot chicken isn’t your speed, Bishop’s Meat & 3 offers a wide selection of homestyle meats, from chicken fried chicken and pot roast to country steaks. As the name recommends, you also get a choice of 2 sides and a dessert; their menu is full of familiar flavors, from mashed potatoes and greens to seasonal cobblers and pies. Complete with daily specials, Bishop’s is also mindful of their ingredients, buying organic and local whenever possible. You can dine-in, takeout, or have them cater your next event, hot chicken or not!
Hours:
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: 3065 Mallory Lane #115, Franklin, TN 37067
Waldo’s Chicken & Beer
Chicken is the name of the game at Waldo’s Chicken & Beer, a Southern-food favorite. While the restaurant now spans several states, the company started right here in Middle Tennessee, in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood. Their chicken is served 2 tried-and-true ways: Southern fried and rotisserie. The restaurant is fun and casual, perfect for gathering with friends around the bar or enjoying late-afternoon patio dining when the weather is nice. And, as if that couldn’t get more perfect, dogs are allowed and encouraged on Waldo’s patio. Though the restaurant is now a chain, each location is locally owned and operated, differing in menu prices and local selections.
Since 2019, Waldo’s has prided itself on ice cold beer, a comfortable atmosphere, and delicious food. In true Tennessee fashion, Waldo’s has hot chicken on their menu, and even has themed weeks to highlight the signature dish. Sides, such as collard greens and mac n’ cheese, are family recipes and made from scratch daily. Waldo’s has no less than 4 locations across Williamson County, in Franklin, Cool Springs, Brentwood, and Nolensville.
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Locations:
Cool Springs: 1201 Liberty Pike Suite 129, Cool Springs, TN 37067
Franklin: 108 New Hwy 96 West, Franklin, TN 37064
Brentwood: 7010 Executive Center Drive, Brentwood, TN 37027
Nolensville: 7238 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, TN 37135
Outlander’s Southern Chicken
Outlander’s Southern Chicken in Nolensville keeps it simple; they have “chicken, and chicken.” The restaurant caters to a strong sense of family and community, fulfilling the dream of owner Brian Summers to create the perfect atmosphere to bring people together over exceptional food. The restaurant is active in the Nolensville community, and has teamed up with local schools to help host fundraisers and provide food for events.
Among a selection of chicken baskets, Outlanders serves a Nashville HOT chicken basket. The basket includes 3 jumbo-sized tenders, served Nashville hot, hand-sliced fries, Texas Toast, and 2 sauces, of course. Other popular menu items include classic fried pickle starters and Outlanders’ Original Buffalo Fried Mac-n-CHZ Balls, a fan-favorite served with hickory smoked bacon. Outlanders also has a selection of specialty sauces such as “Thunderbird” Buffalo sauce, Island Mango, and Citrus Chipotle, alongside other flavors that are unique to the restaurant. Outlanders offers dine-in, take-out, and catering.
Hours:
Daily: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: 7215 Nolensville Road, Nolensville, Tennessee 37135
55 South
Based on the flavors found along Interstate 55, which runs from Memphis to New Orleans, 55 South is a great place to find Southern comfort food, from jambalaya and raw oysters to barbecue and Nashville hot chicken. Chef Jason McConnell, who grew up in the rural town of Rives, Tennessee, spent much of his childhood traveling around the South with his family’s horse training business. He was inspired by the great Southern food found along the way. After receiving first-class culinary training at the Culinary Institute of America, McConnell returned to his roots—Southern hospitality and homestyle food.
55 South has locations in both Franklin and Brentwood, and is a great place to enjoy a weekend afternoon with friends or a laid-back, family dinner. Their Nashville hot chicken sandwich is served the classic way, with white bread, pickles, mayo, and chips. The spice-level, according to their menu, is 7-out-of-10. Other incredibly Southern dishes include a po-boy Remix, a fried green tomato & pimento BLT, and shrimp & grits. 55 South also serves weekend brunch Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. For special events, you can order bulk take-out or inquire about renting out restaurant space.
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Locations:
Franklin: 403 Main Street, Franklin, TN 37064
Brentwood: 7031 Executive Ctr Drive, Ste 101, Brentwood, TN 37027
Neighbors Franklin
Neighbors is a recognizable Music City favorite and, simply put, the perfect place to watch sports, enjoy good company, and eat great food. In 2011, owners Victoria and Zach Piller opened the bar in Nashville’s Sylvan Park, renovating 700 square feet of Victoria’s salon. They started with 6 beer taps and a kitchen that was so small the wings and brisket had to be smoked in the parking lot. Now, Neighbors has 4 locations: Sylvan Park, Germantown, Franklin, and the Gulch.
Neighbors’ menu includes classic bar food: burgers, salads, fried pickles, and, of course, a Nashville hot chicken sandwich. The fried chicken breast is hand battered, tossed in a Nashville sauce and served on a brioche bun alongside homemade coleslaw and dill pickle chips. The bar also has a late-night menu served from 10 p.m. until close, which includes their signature sides, sharable nachos, platters, and starters. If you choose to enjoy a beverage with your meal, the bar hosts happy hour Monday through Friday from 3-7 p.m., with half-priced bottles, pints, pillars, seltzers, house wines, and well drinks.
Hours:
Monday-Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thursday-Friday: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: 4031 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 162 Franklin, TN37067
Puckett’s Restaurant
Puckett’s began in the 1950s as a small community gathering spot and grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, The Fox & Locke. The expanded brand now has several restaurant locations throughout Tennessee and Alabama. The restaurant has received several accolades, from being named as one of “Tennessee’s Top 5 Local Restaurants” in Southern Living’s “The South’s Best Awards,” to one of the “10 Best Barbecue Restaurants in the U.S.,” according to TravelAwaits’s “Best of Travel Awards.” Puckett’s is known for its Southern recipes, hospitality, and live, local music, which is hosted at all locations.
The menu varies depending on location. However, most Puckett’s serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some hot chicken specials include Nashville hot chicken bites and a Music City hot chicken sandwich, made right with Puckett’s original hot chicken spices. A class act, the sandwich is served with Texas Toast, house pickles, and coleslaw. The menu is expansive, and includes a “Tennessee Favorites” section, with dishes such as fried catfish, chicken fried chicken, and shrimp & grits. The restaurant hosts live music nearly every night, so you can enjoy your meal alongside some incredible local talent. Puckett’s also offers catering at all of their locations.
Hours:
Sunday-Thursday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: 120 4th Avenue South, Franklin, TN 37064
Good Eats in Williamson County
Whether you’re a hot chicken aficionado or a humble novice, the classic Tennessee dish is worth a try, especially when we’re so close to its roots! Visit these Williamson County restaurants for fantastic food, great atmosphere, and better company. Across the board, our county is a great place to find a bite to eat for any palette. Here you can find great tacos, nachos, classic barbeque and sweet treats.
Now that nice weather has arrived, you can enjoy Tennessee spring by taking advantage of outdoor dining and local food trucks. When all is said and done, what we do best here in Middle Tennessee is Southern-style food and hospitality. Wherever you choose to dine, should you opt to partake in our famous Nashville hot chicken, be prepared for bold flavors and intense spice—it isn’t called “hot chicken” for nothing!
