Middle Tennessee’s A. Marshall Family Foods, which owns and operates the Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant locations, Puckett’s Boat House and GRAY’S on Main in Franklin, was recognized this month on the 2014 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest growing companies.
With 300-plus employees, the company’s restaurants and hospitality venues have created more than 260 jobs over the past three years, a 450% level of growth that earned A. Marshall Family Foods the 978th spot on the list.
“The Puckett’s family is honored to be included on a list as prestigious as this one,” said Andy Marshall, owner of A. Marshall Family Foods. “Of course, our success is really thanks to the community that supports us and the teams that manage and run the restaurants, helping uphold our good name.”
Of the 80 Tennessee companies that made the cut, A. Marshall Family Foods’ growth landed them 12th on the statewide list and ninth in the Nashville metro area, respectively. The company is the state’s only top-20 honoree in the Food & Beverage category.
“[A. Marshall Family Foods is] A family-owned restaurant business that offers live music in addition to a Southern food menu. It hires from within the community it serves when expanding its business,” reads the Inc. profile on the company.
A Tennessee native, 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 eventually the title of president of the Tennessee Grocers Association and the Piggly Wiggly Association.
Though the Puckett’s name started as a little country store 60 years ago in Williamson County, it evolved into a popular restaurant and music venue when Marshall took ownership in 1998. There are now three Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant family-owned locations in Davidson, Maury and Williamson counties.
In the last three years, A. Marshall Family Foods has also founded Puckett’s Boat House, Puckett’s Trolley, Puckett’s Events & Catering and GRAY’S on Main—all based in downtown Franklin, Tenn.
Marshall says he works to maintain the original “mom and pop,” Southern vibe in each venture, and to keep the Puckett’s name consistent with home-cooked meals in a fun, familiar setting known for great service.
“Each of our eateries upholds the tradition of quality food tied to our Tennessee roots, and a gathering spot for friends and family members to catch up relax, or business associates to make a deal,” he said. “It may be a birthday party or a songwriting session, but through it all, we want to maintain that feeling of sitting in your own kitchen.”
Profiles of the top 500 companies will appear in the September issue of Inc. magazine. For a full list of Inc. 5000 honorees, go to www.inc.com.
To learn more about Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant, as well as Marshall’s other establishments, go to www.puckettsgrocery.com.
