Ham’N Goodys opening Clinton Highway location
By Rachel Totten
March 5, 2023

Ham’N Goodys is opening its fifth location at 5541 Clinton Highway on Saturday, April 1.

The local restaurant brand has locations on Northshore Drive, Cedar Bluff Road, Gay Street and in Sevierville, as well as a commissary in Halls.

Kimberly Graves, Ham’N Goodys vice president, said the Clinton Highway store came about after several residents voiced requests for a location in North Knoxville. Plus, the Ham’N Goodys’ cookie truck, which visits areas across East Tennessee, had always done well in Powell.

“We just had an opportunity that we just couldn’t pass by and we decided to go for it,” she said, noting that the new restaurant will also be used for Ham’N Goodys’ catering operations. “Our catering business has really grown so it gives us another location to expand that.”

In addition to Clinton Highway, Graves said that Ham’N Goodys does have plans to open more locations if the opportunity arises.

“Our policy is just whenever God opens up a door for us… When He’s ready for us to expand, we will,” she explained. “We hope to open another location or two next year if the opportunity presents itself.”

‘A place to gather’

Founded in 1978, Ham’N Goodys is a Knoxville staple, offering breakfast items, specialty sandwiches and a variety of homemade bakery goods, including the “world famous” lemon cookies. The restaurant’s popularity, however, is attributed to its emphasis on both customers and employees.

“Everything that we do revolves around the customer experience and our employees,” said Graves. “Our operating principles are to honor Jesus, take care of each other and create an atmosphere where people can gather.”

In fact, Graves said that Dale Harold, the owner, wants every customer to feel like they’re walking into their own grandma’s house when visiting Ham’N Goodys.

“You come in and stay however long you want to,” she said.

Recently at the Sevierville location, for example, Graves shared how a couple ladies had spent hours playing cards after eating breakfast and were then about to order lunch.

“They were like,’Is this OK?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely, this is exactly what it’s about for us,’ you know relationships and just having a place to gather,” she said.

After all, Graves said, the community is what has ultimately led to Ham’N Goodys massive success.

“If it wasn’t for the community and our customers, we just wouldn’t be able to continue expanding Ham’N Goodys and we’re thankful for their support,” she said.

For more information about Ham’N Goodys, visit hamngoodys.com.