Puckett’s Gro. & Restaurant will conduct a job fair next week to help fill 80 jobs being added at the downtown Chattanooga eatery, which is taking over the renovated space of the former TGI Friday’s restaurant near the Tennessee Aquarium.
Puckett’s, which operates three other restaurants in Middle Tennessee, will conduct its hiring fair next Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn on Chestnut Street to hire bartenders, servers, hosts, line cooks, bussers and dishwashers.
“We’ve wanted to open here for years, and it’s incredible to see it finally coming to fruition,” said Puckett’s Director of Operations Claire Marshall Crowell, who will help conduct the interviews. “We’re looking forward to seeing that enthusiasm carry over into our talent search next week.”
When Puckett’s expanded from Franklin, Tenn., to Nashville, similar job fair attracted more than 700 applicants.
The new Chattanooga restaurant will include 6,750-square feet and feature both food and live entertainment in Chattanooga’s riverfront district.
A Tennessee landmark with decades-old roots that stretch back to the 1950s, Puckett’s has built its name on hosting live, local musical acts and serving Southern staples like classic meat-and-three items and its famous slow-smoked BBQ. This will be Puckett’s first expansion out of Middle Tennessee and its largest location to date, with more than 230 seats in the dining room and patio areas.
The brand’s long-time General Manager, Max Stephenson, will lead the new store and manage the restaurant’s daily operations, which include a full-service eatery, a live music venue and a catering division.
Stephenson, who will also help conduct the interviews, says he hopes to fill positions with individuals who reflect the company’s values and mission to remain community-oriented.
“Puckett’s a family-owned business that treats customers like friends. We’ve been fortunate to find employees with a servant’s heart at our other restaurants, and we’ll be looking for similar personalities who fit that mold,” he said.
Those applying for the new jobs should bring a copy of a photo I.D. and be prepared to fill out an application on site.