O'Charley's
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Casual dining restaurant |
| Founded | 1971 in Nashville, Tennessee, United States |
| Founder | Charles (Sonny) Watkins |
| Headquarters | Nashville , United States |
Area served | Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia |
Key people | David K. Wachtel (former owner and chairman) |
| Products | Casual dining food and beverages |
Number of employees | Not specified |
| Parent | Cannae Holdings, Inc. |
O'Charley's Restaurant & Bar is a casual dining establishment based in the United States. By January 2025, it operated 60 outlets located in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The brand was part of the O'Charley's, Inc. group, a multi-concept restaurant enterprise overseeing 363 venues under the banners of O'Charley's, Ninety Nine Restaurant, and Stoney River Legendary Steaks. In 2012, Fidelity National Financial acquired this enterprise, folding it into American Blue Ribbon Holdings. Later, in 2018, O'Charley's separated from American Blue Ribbon Holdings and became a subsidiary of Cannae Holdings, Inc.
History
O'Charley's was established in 1971 by businessman Charles (Sonny) Watkins in Nashville, Tennessee, with its first site situated near Vanderbilt University. Watkins remained at the helm until 1984 when ownership transferred to David K. Wachtel, who brought substantial industry expertise as a former Shoney's president and CEO. Wachtel’s vision was to grow O'Charley's into a regional chain; by mid-1987, the company had inaugurated its 12th location in Lexington, Kentucky, utilizing former Bennigan's properties.
In December 1993, the company revealed plans to expand into prominent southeastern markets by opening at least eight new restaurants during 1994. Following Wachtel's departure as chairman in early 1994 to pursue other ventures such as Western Sizzlin', executive Burns assumed the roles of CEO and co-chairman. Soon thereafter, the organization confronted a federal lawsuit alleging discriminatory hiring practices, claims which were denied by management.
Operational adjustments included shutting down its Nashville commissary in 2007 and contracting Performance Food Group for distribution services to enhance supply chain operations. Marketing efforts during the 2010s featured promotions like "Free Pie Wednesday," offering complimentary pie to customers dining in with entrée purchases.
Starting in 2018, O'Charley's underwent considerable downsizing amid difficult market dynamics. The number of locations dropped from 213 in 2016 to just 60 by early 2025 due to numerous sudden closures across critical states including Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Virginia. Significant shutdowns occurred between 2019 and 2023, with as many as eighteen restaurants closing simultaneously in August 2023 alone. This reduction reflects strategic portfolio optimization aimed at improving financial stability amid shifting consumer trends and intensified competition.
Awards
Forbes recognized the company as one of the "200 Best Small Companies in America" for three consecutive years up to 2002. Additionally, American Blue Ribbon Holdings earned Top Workplace honors from The Tennessean in 2014.