KaTom Helps Kennedy Concepts Scale up Casual Dining in South Knoxville
After utilizing KaTom Restaurant Supply for restaurant openings for more than a decade, Kennedy Concepts owner Chad Kennedy has partnered with KaTom once again for possibly his most ambitious concept yet.
Mimosas is the ninth establishment from Kennedy Concepts, whose catalog includes restaurants such as The Kennedy on Gay Street and Loco Burro locations in Gatlinburg and Knoxville's West Town Mall.
An apartment-floor restaurant in South Knoxville with long operating hours and multiple amenities, Mimosas is designed for a broader audience than what Kennedy Concepts has targeted in the past. Fresh coffee and grab-and-go breakfasts are served from 7 to 11 am, followed by lunch and dinner services featuring fare like avocado toast, handmade burgers, fresh salads, and classic comfort foods like pot roast. Late-night opening hours with a large drink selection are planned until 2 am Wednesday through Saturday.
"We're really trying to take advantage of the demographic here in South Knoxville," Kennedy told KaTom.
Mimosas sits in a strategic location at the corner of Chapman Highway and East Blount Avenue. Built under The Davy student apartments, it faces the Henley Street Bridge to the north, with downtown Knoxville and the University of Tennessee located just beyond. The restaurant's goal is to attract a mix of college students, professionals, Knoxville visitors, and longtime locals.
Familiar Atmosphere in a Unique Concept
While the restaurant's namesake is taken from Mimosa Avenue, a street running behind The Davy, it also highlights a core aspect of Kennedy's brand.
"It’s a very social name" Kennedy said, "All of our concepts will be social-forward, cocktail-driven—more of a social experience and environment."
Taking full advantage of its more than 5,500 square feet, Mimosas includes a full bar, a coffee station with study tables, and a row of televisions with the goal of drawing a sports crowd. The restaurant will have 240 seats, including seasonal outdoor seating with couches and firepits.
As with all his concepts, Kennedy doesn't want Mimosas to be just a place to eat; it's meant to provide guests with a memorable experience.
"If we can make people happy and make them feel good about themselves, it leaves a memory," Kennedy said. "And then we've done our job."
Partnering From Design to Install
Kennedy's entrepreneurial experience has made him adept at adapting restaurant interiors to fit their unique space. Rather than reproduce what the group has done before, Kennedy designs each restaurant as a new environment, but with the same attention to hospitality and energetic ambiance.
For Mimosas, that included painting the ceilings black, wood beams for a less-industrial look, soundproofing the space to reduce noise for The Davy residents, and using large windows for natural light and street views.
KaTom helped Kennedy through each step of the building process. During the planning phase, designer Hunter Adkins created an equipment layout for Mimosas' bar, kitchen, and coffee station.
The existing space and ductwork meant the kitchen required a slanted L-shape, which slightly tightened workflow. Adkins and the design team accommodated this by creating a cutout facing the front of house so back-of-house workers can pass plates directly to servers.
Kennedy also turned to the KaTom team for equipment and installation. They provided bar supplies, cooking equipment, cold storage, coffee makers, and more.
Strategic Accounts Manager Turner Whaley helped Kennedy handle changes and concept alterations along the way, working with vendors to minimize costs and maintain timelines when finding the right equipment.
Mimosas' independent coffee station was a mid-construction addition by Kennedy and his team, so Whaley set up meetings with Kennedy to connect with coffee equipment manufacturers at the NAFEM equipment show. Through this, he was able to find drip and espresso coffee machines in addition to an orange juice squeezer.
A Lasting Connection
Kennedy values the partnership he's developed with KaTom's team. He typically makes calls on a weekly basis to ensure each restaurant is well equipped.
As evidenced by his model for creating community at Mimosas, Kennedy understands that running a successful business starts with partnerships and relationships. KaTom's proximity and responsive team make a great match for Kennedy and helped him complete Mimosas' build in about a year—just in time to celebrate its November grand opening.
"At the end of the day, it's all about partnerships and working with people that you trust and people that you know," Kennedy said. "And so, without KaTom, I don't know if we could do as much so fast."
