The Sizzle Awards 2026 Winners: Williamson County’s Best Businesses Honored at 19th Annual Gala
The results are in! The 2026 Sizzle Award winners were announced at the 19th annual Sizzle Awards Gala on March 26th at Liberty Hall at The Factory at Franklin. The event brought together business owners and their teams to recognize the businesses that stand out in Williamson County, Tennessee.
Hosted by FranklinIs, the awards reflect the businesses residents chose as the best businesses across the county, with winners determined through public voting. All businesses serving Williamson County are eligible for recognition, from locally owned shops to regional and national brands with a presence in the area. This year’s event welcomed over 320 attendees and reflected more than 670,000 votes cast.
A Night of Connection Across Williamson County
Guests arriving at The Sizzle Awards Gala were greeted with a festive atmosphere, complete with string lights overhead, a colorful balloon arch for photos, upbeat music in the background, and a steady buzz of conversation and networking throughout the space.
The evening opened with remarks from FranklinIs CEO Ken Royer, who welcomed attendees and kicked off the night.
“This event is about recognizing the businesses people rely on every day and giving them a chance to be in the same room, connect, and celebrate what they’ve built together,” Royer said.
Guests moved throughout the venue, meeting other business owners, reconnecting with familiar faces, and building new relationships. Conversations carried across both levels of Liberty Hall, with this year’s event expanding into the second-floor balcony to accommodate the growing crowd.
For many attendees, that sense of connection was a key part of the evening. “It’s not just an award ceremony, it’s a chance to connect with other business owners and be part of the community,” said Daniel Booker of Franklin Golf Lab. “That’s a big part of why this event matters.”
Cocktail Hour and Local Vendors
The evening began with a cocktail hour featuring food and drinks from local vendors. Stations were set up throughout Liberty Hall, with vendors contributing their time and offerings as part of the event.
JamBox Sandwich Shop, a newer addition to the Franklin, TN food scene, brought a variety of toasted sandwiches inspired by 80s and 90s music, with several featuring jam as a signature ingredient. “We’ve only been in Franklin for a year,” said owner Tyler Lechtanski. “Every time we do an event, a lot of people still don’t know who we are, so this is a great opportunity to get in front of people.”
A variety of gourmet catered items were served by DailyDish Catering, which earned a Sizzle Award this year. The team shared that they are continuing to expand their offerings and reconnect with the community through events like this. “We’ve been in the Franklin community for over 30 years,” said Sarah Hough. “We’re excited to be here and get more involved again.”
Nearby, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken served some of its most popular items, including chicken tenders, along with banana pudding topped with vanilla wafer crumble. Each serving was paired with bread, pickles, and the restaurant’s Comeback Sauce.
Bake Dance, a wholesale bakery which recently took over operations from Frothy Monkey Bakery, offered a range of baked goods, including focaccia in flavors like olive and rosemary, charred tomato, and garlic and olive oil, along with cookies such as chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and snickerdoodle.
One of the longest lines of the night formed at Tito’s Mexican Restaurant, reflecting its strong local following. The restaurant, which took home several Sizzle Awards, served a selection of Mexican dishes along with frozen margaritas during the event.
Daddy’s Dogs was another popular stop, serving two of its most requested items, the New York and the Big Daddy, both of which drew steady traffic throughout the evening.
For those with a sweet tooth, Kilwins offered caramel corn with pecans, sea salt caramel fudge, and chocolate fudge. “We’ve been coming every year,” said Melissa Wooten of Kilwins. “It’s a great way to be part of the event and reach people in the community.”
Supporting Davis House Child Advocacy Center
The Sizzle Awards Gala continues to support Davis House Child Advocacy Center, a longtime nonprofit partner of the event. Davis House provides a safe, child-focused environment for children and families navigating cases of abuse, offering forensic interviews, advocacy, and support services in one place.
Executive Director Carolyn Evans and Associate Director Lindsey Honea were in attendance, connecting with guests and sharing more about the organization’s work in the community.
Cards with QR codes were placed on tables throughout the venue, making it easy for attendees to contribute during the event. Donations made to Davis House throughout April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, will be matched by a donor, doubling the impact of community support.
Another way FranklinIs and The Sizzle Awards support Davis House is through the Stuffed Animal Drive, which runs through April and collects new stuffed animals to provide comfort for children receiving services.
Together, these efforts extend the impact of The Sizzle Awards beyond the gala, connecting the business community with ongoing support for children and families in Williamson County.
2026 Sizzle Award Winners – Best Businesses in Williamson County, TN
After the cocktail hour, guests took their seats at tables set throughout the room as the focus shifted to recognizing this year’s winners. Awards were presented throughout the evening across dozens of categories, with businesses called to the stage to accept first, second, and third-place honors.
This year’s awards also included several new and updated categories, reflecting the range of businesses operating across Williamson County and allowing for more specific recognition across industries. One of those additions was Best Event Planner, with Katie Richards of K and K Weddings, LLC taking first place.
“I think it was the first time it got added as a category, so we were really excited,” Richards said. “I’m just grateful to be able to have it here, and I have an awesome team behind me, Becky, Rachel, and Jason. They always inspire me every day, and we’re just excited for the years ahead.”
The format kept things moving while still giving winners time to be recognized, take photos, and connect with others after their categories were announced. Applause carried across the room as teams gathered near the stage, and many winners stayed nearby to congratulate others as results continued.
Winners across categories described the recognition as both meaningful and motivating, with many pointing to its impact beyond the night of the event.
“It makes a big difference,” said Dr. Alex Smith of Cool Springs Chiropractic, which took first place for Best Chiropractic Practice for the 12th year. “When people come in and see it, there’s an expectation there, and it pushes us to meet that every time.”
For newer businesses, the moment carries a different kind of weight. Daniel Booker of Franklin Golf Lab, which took second place for Best Indoor Activity, said the recognition helps establish credibility early on. “For a newer business, that means everything,” Booker said. “It helps us get established and continue building.”
Longtime businesses also pointed to the community’s role in their success. Jim Reide of Merridee’s Breadbasket, which took third place for Best Bakery, said that continued connection with local customers is what makes the award so meaningful. “We’re just glad for the support of the local community,” he said.
Other winners noted the value of being in the room with a wide range of businesses. “It’s very well run, and there are a lot of great businesses here,” said Emily Holliday of Oak Hall, which took third place for Best Men’s Boutique. “It’s nice to see everyone in one place.”
What Winning a Sizzle Award Means for Local Businesses
A Sizzle Award carries value that extends well beyond the event, giving businesses tools and visibility that continue to support them throughout the year.
Winners receive plaques or certificates, and window clings that can be displayed in-store, along with options for additional materials such as custom graphics, new plaques, and/or acrylic awards. Many businesses use these to highlight their recognition across their storefronts, websites, and social media.
In addition, winners are promoted through FranklinIs across multiple platforms, including press releases, newsletters, media partnerships, and social channels. Each winning business is also featured on the Best Businesses pages on FranklinIs.com, where they remain visible to readers throughout the year.
Because the awards are based on public voting, the recognition carries weight with local customers. For many businesses, it becomes a way to build trust with new clients while reinforcing relationships with existing ones.
Looking Ahead to The 2027 Sizzle Awards
Planning is already underway for next year’s Sizzle Awards Gala, which will mark the 20th year of the event.
In addition to food and beverage vendors, FranklinIs plans to expand participation to include more businesses, such as retailers, service providers, artists, and event-based companies.
“We’re going to open it up to additional vendors, goods, gifts, artwork, clothing, service companies, event companies,” said Ken Royer. “We want people to be able to come in and have time to explore, shop, eat, and connect before the awards.”
Expanded space will allow for a larger pre-event experience, giving attendees more time to engage with local businesses.
“We want to make the 20th year something bigger,” Royer said.
As the event continues to grow, the Sizzle Awards remain a reflection of the businesses that shape daily life across Williamson County. Congratulations to the 2026 winners, and thank you to the community for making this year’s awards the biggest yet!
View the full list of 2026 Sizzle Award Winners by clicking the button below.
Click the button below to see photos from the gala, including winners, candid moments, and vendor recognition.
