A. Marshall Family Foods Inc. is reaching back to its roots in Franklin with the addition of Scout’s Pub, a modern pub set to open this summer in the city’s Westhaven community, and has named Chris Payne its general manager.
A new resident of Williamson County, Payne recently relocated from Atlanta where he opened over 70 restaurants, ranging from steakhouses and fast-casual concepts to bars. Since accepting the position at Scout’s Pub, Payne has spent time in each of the A. Marshall restaurants, including Puckett’s Gro., Puckett’s Boat House and Homestead Manor, where he quickly learned the culture runs deep.
“This is a company that takes great pride in pleasing people, and that is a great sign of hospitality. It’s exciting to be able to create this new brand under our umbrella and build on the tradition and success that Puckett’s has already established,” Payne said. “Scout’s Pub is a conglomerate of everything I’ve done and have wanted to do. I have looked before at building a gastropub, but never made it a reality.”
According to Claire Marshall Crowell, chief operating officer of A. Marshall Family Foods Inc., it was an easy decision to add Payne to the team.
“Westhaven is such a unique community, and Chris’s eclectic background is a natural fit for the new concept we’re introducing there,” Crowell said. “Scout’s Pub will be a family-centric, neighborhood gastropub that’s retro yet innovative, and we’re excited to have Chris lead the charge there.”
Also joining the Scout’s team is Puckett’s long-time brand chef, Keith West, who will serve as head chef at the new restaurant, and Brad Lentz and Lee Rice, who will make the shift to Westhaven from Franklin’s Puckett’s Gro.
“Keith is an expert at building outside-the-box menus, and he is a natural choice for the elevated, creative fare we plan to offer at Scout’s Pub,” said Crowell. “Brad and Lee have proven their leadership excellence time and again at Puckett’s, and we are confident that all three will be tremendous assets as we launch this new restaurant.”
Described by its proprietors as an upscale, modern pub, Scout’s Pub is scheduled to open this summer in Westhaven. The menu will change seasonally, and while in design and decor it differs from the down-home, meat and three restaurants for which the widely-popular Puckett’s Gro. eateries are known, it will stay true to A. Marshall’s overarching theme of blending hospitality and Southern fare with a twist. For more information and updates on Scout’s Pub, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/scoutspub or online at amarshallfamilyfoods.com.
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