A Tennessee native and graduate of Franklin High School and MTSU, Andy Marshall grew up in the grocery business. At age 26, he purchased his first grocery store — an investment that quickly led to four additional locations and his being named president of the Tennessee Grocers Association and the Piggly Wiggly Association. In 1998, Andy sold those stores and bought Puckett’s, a small grocery store in Leiper’s Fork. He launched a formal dinner and music program to enhance the shop and complement the town’s roots.
Today, Andy has expanded A. Marshall Hospitality to encompass seven Puckett’s restaurant locations, Americana Taphouse, Burger Dandy, Puckett’s Trolley, Puckett’s Catering & Events, Deacon’s New South and Scout’s Pub locations in the Westhaven community in Franklin and in Midtown Nashville. Each family-owned eatery provides friends new and old with home-cooked food and Southern hospitality, the Marshall way.
What did you initially want to be when you grew up?
I am an entrepreneur by nature, so I always knew it was my path. I love to lead and serve others.
What inspired A. Marshall Hospitality, and has your business grown/changed as Nashville has evolved?
My desire was to serve one small town with just one store, where I could also offer home-cooked family recipes to the community I was serving. So in 1998, I decided to sell all of my grocery stores and purchase Puckett’s Leiper’s Fork. In 2002, I branched out to start a formal dinner and music program at the local hot spot. In 2004, I got the opportunity to expand Puckett’s to historic downtown Franklin. Nashville’s growth and evolvement has granted us the opportunity to expand into new markets, such as Midtown Nashville.
How does your work at A. Marshall Hospitality impact Nashville as a whole?
In a concentrated industry with so many restaurants to choose from, we offer local, Southern cuisine with a comfortable feel that allows both locals and tourists to feel at home. We have always wanted our restaurants to be a gateway into the communities that they serve.
You began your hospitality empire with one small-town grocery store in Leiper’s Fork. When you bought Puckett’s, what were your primary goals?
How have those changed in 25 years? My primary goal was to settle down and retire with that store when I bought it. Once it became something special, I knew God had different plans for me. Throughout the last 25 years, we have added restaurants in many special communities, and it has been a joy to be a part of each one.
What is your most memorable moment, working in hospitality?
The hardest and most memorable moments for me were the early years of Puckett’s Leiper’s Fork. I had to be creative and really push myself to gain profit — making biscuits at 3:30 a.m. and getting up the next morning to do it all over again. But truly, serving our community and having my kids involved are probably two of my most memorable moments during that time.
What is the most important advice you’ve received?
A good friend of mine gave me great advice when I struggled with hanging on to Puckett’s Leiper’s Fork. He said, “It’s OK to let something go if it’s going to help you grow.” As much as I loved Leiper’s Fork, it held me back from growing the business, since I had to be there most of the time. That advice helped me make the decision to sell the store, and it turned out to be life-changing.
As you look around Middle Tennessee and see all the growth, what most excites or concerns you?
The growth has amped up the restaurant selection, and it’s been exciting to see Nashville becoming a “food city.” The out-of-town interest that has come in and expanded food offerings has caused the locals to meet the challenge and step up our game as well.
Given the chance, what else do you love to discuss?
I have a passion for serving the community and especially love to talk about the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and 4-H. In my childhood, someone took an interest in me at a time of my life when I didn’t have adult guidance, and [they] introduced me to the [local] Boys & Girls Club. It changed my life!
What legacy would you like to leave in this community?
I hope to leave a legacy, not of what I’ve said, but what I have done. I pray that through it all, my servant’s heart has made a difference in someone else’s life.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.