Almost everybody has a favorite fast-food chain – a place to grab a quick burger for lunch or a drive-thru taco late at night.
While national brands abound to satisfy your cravings, Alabama has its fair share of homegrown chains, most of which started as small, independent “mom-and-pop” shops before branching out.
As part of our Beautiful Alabama summer project, we’ve put together this list of 10 such Alabama chain restaurants, all of which began in the state and many of which remain in the same family.
(Note: For this story, we did not include barbecue restaurant chains, which belong in a category unto themselves.)
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Foosackly’s, famous for its fried chicken fingers, originated in Mobile in 2000 and now has 14 locations in Alabama and two in Florida. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben Flanagan
Foosackly’s
How it started: Co-founders Will Fusaiotti and Eric Brechtel, who went to LSU together, partnered to open their first Foosackly’s chicken tenders restaurant on University Boulevard in Mobile in April 2000. The chain’s unusual name was inspired by Fusaiotti’s hard-to-pronounce last name, and Fusaiotti figured “Foosackly’s” rolled off the tongue much better.
How it’s going: Although most of its 16 locations are concentrated in the Mobile and Baldwin County area, Foosackly’s has expanded into Tuscaloosa and Auburn, as well as neighboring Pensacola, Fla.
More info: foosacklys.net
One of the most popular chicken finger restaurants in the state, Guthrie’s has more than 30 locations in Alabama. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)Ben Flanagan
Guthrie’s
How it started: In 1965, Hal Guthrie opened a drive-in restaurant in the Winston County town of Haleyville, but it wasn’t until 13 years later that Guthrie began serving the fried chicken fingers and signature dipping sauce for which his family would become famous. In 1982, Hal and Melissa Guthrie’s oldest son, Chris, who was a student at Auburn University at the time, talked his dad into helping him open a Guthrie’s in the Loveliest Village on the Plains.
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How it’s going: Guthrie’s, which is headquartered in Auburn, now has nearly 50 locations in nine states – mostly in the Southeast but as far away as Idaho and Ohio.
More info: guthrieschicken.com.
Guthrie’s celebrates a golden anniversary
Hero Doughnuts & Buns began at a pop-up event in Birmingham in 2016 and now has eight locations around the Southeast, including this one near Birmingham’s Railroad Park, at 1701 First Ave. South, Suite 135. (Mary Colurso | mcolurso@AL.com)
Hero Doughnuts & Buns
How it started: Birmingham chef Wil Drake debuted his French brioche pastry-style Hero Doughnuts at a pop-up event at Seasick Records in 2016 and opened his first brick-and-mortar location in Homewood the following year.
How it’s going: After partnering with the Pihakis Restaurant Group, Hero has rebranded as Hero Doughnuts & Buns and expanded its menu to include not just doughnuts but also chicken sandwiches and one of the best cheeseburgers around. Hero now has nine locations in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee.
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More info: eatahero.com.
Jack’s Family Restaurants, which began in Homewood in 1960, has grown to include almost 200 locations in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. (Photo courtesy of Jack’s Family Restaurants; used with permission)
Jack’s Family Restaurants
How it started: Jack’s goes back, back, back to 1960 when founder and Birmingham burger king Jack Caddell, inspired by the growth of the McDonald’s chain, opened the first Jack’s Hamburgers in downtown Homewood.
How it’s going: Now known as Jack’s Family Restaurants but still headquartered in Homewood, the fast-food chain has grown to about 200 locations in big cities and small towns throughout Alabama and neighboring states Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
More info: eatatjacks.com.
Milo’s began in Birmingham in 1946 and now has 23 locations throughout Alabama.(Photo courtesy of Milo’s; used with permission)
Milo’s
How it started: Founder Milo Carlton, who served as an Army mess cook during World War II, and his wife, Beatrice, or “Mama Bea” to those who knew her best, opened their mom-and-pop burger shop in Birmingham’s Norwood neighborhood in 1946. Thirty-seven years later, the first Milo’s franchise opened near the UAB campus on Birmingham’s Southside.
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How it’s going: Under the leadership of CEO Tom Dekle, the Milo’s brand — beloved for its burgers with pickles, onions and that magic sauce — has grown to include 23 locations around Alabama – mainly in the Birmingham metro area but also in Auburn, Montgomery, Jasper and Tuscaloosa.
More info: miloshamburgers.com.
The story behind Alabama’s famous Milo’s hamburger sauce
Sneaky Pete’s began in Birmingham in 1966 and now has about 30 locations in Central Alabama, many of which are in gas station convenience stores.(Photo courtesy of Sneaky Pete’s)
Sneaky Pete’s
How it started: Pete Graphos – from the legendary Graphos hot dog family that included his brothers Jimmy and Sammy — opened the original Sneaky Pete’s hot dog shop on Birmingham’s Southside in 1966. His brothers later joined him in the business before branching out on their own. At one time, Graphos operated 24 Sneaky Pete’s locations before selling the business in 1986.
How it’s going: Sneaky Pete’s, which is still based in Birmingham, has about 30 locations around Central Alabama, most of those in gas station convenience stores. Also, Sneaky Pete’s Hot Dog Sauce is available online and at grocery stores around the state.
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More info: sneakypetes.com.
Although a few new items have been added over the years, the Taco Casa menu has pretty much remained the same since the first restaurant opened in 1974, with burritos, tacos, enchiladas and sanchos. (Ben Flanagan/bflanagan@al.com)
Taco Casa
How it started: Rod Wilkin, a Kansas native who came to Tuscaloosa to play football for the legendary Paul “Bear” Bryant in the late 1960s, followed up on his dream of starting a Mexican fast-food restaurant and founded Taco Casa in 1974, opening the original location on 10th Avenue, near what is now Central High School. The little restaurant “under the biggest cactus in town” fast became a favorite of University of Alabama students.
How it’s going: Wilkin and his three sons (Rod II, Ben and Brett) and his son-in-law (Shannon Formby) continue the Taco Casa tradition 50 years later. That original location has long since closed, but Taco Casa has six stores in Tuscaloosa and Northport and a seventh in the Wildwood Centre in Homewood.
More info: tacocasa.com.
An Alabama tradition: Tuscaloosa’s Taco Casa
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Taco Mama opened its first location in Mountain Brook in 2011 and now has 27 restaurants in five Southeastern states.(Birmingham News file/Linda Stelter)
Taco Mama
How it started: Will Haver — who also owns Otey Tavern’s, a neighborhood bar and grill in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village — opened his first Taco Mama not far from Otey’s in 2011. He had no plans to open a second one. But all that quickly changed.
How it’s going: After word got around about Taco Mama’s hearty burritos, tart margaritas and fun, family-friendly vibe, Haver started branching out all over Birmingham and throughout Alabama. Taco Mama is now up to 27 locations, including restaurants in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
More info: tacomamaonline.com.
Taco Mama started in Alabama and became a Southern sensation
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe began in Birmingham, Ala., in 1998.(Joe Songer/jsonger@al.com)
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe
How it started: Inspired by the small cafes they discovered on a trip to Greece, chef Keith Richards and his wife, Amy, opened the original Taziki’s Mediterranean Café in Birmingham’s Shops of the Colonnade in 1998.
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How it’s going: From that one café, Taziki’s has grown far and wide to include about 90 locations in 16 states. Also, in 2015, Taziki’s became the first national franchise to receive the United States Healthful Food Council’s REAL Certification, which recognizes restaurants that go the extra step to serve their customers meals with nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables and whole grains; that emphasize local and organic ingredients; and that serve meals that are made from scratch using healthy cooking methods and a minimum of processed foods.
More info: tazikis.com.
Urban Cookhouse began in downtown Homewood in 2011, and that original location later moved just down the street into this space at 1920 29th Ave. South.(Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com)
Urban Cookhouse
How it started: The husband-and-wife team of David and Andrea Snyder started Urban Cookhouse – a “buy local, eat urban” fast-casual concept that emphasized wood-smoked meats and Alabama-grown produce – in downtown Homewood in 2011.
How it’s going: The Snyders still buy from many of the same farmers and makers they started with – including strawberries and heirloom tomatoes from Harvest Farm in Cullman County and orange rolls from Millie Ray’s in Birmingham – but Urban Cookhouse, which now has nine locations, has expanded beyond the Birmingham metro area into Cullman, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville and Nashville.
The Philadelphia 76ers selected Alabama guard Labaron Philon Jr. with the 22nd overall pick of the 2026 NBA draft Tuesday night.
Philon is the first pick of the Mike Gansey era after he replaced Daryl Morey as the team’s president of basketball operations.
Who is Labaron Philon Jr.?
Philon, 20, led the Crimson Tide in scoring last season, averaging 22.0 points on nearly 40% shooting on 3-pointers. He was the focal point of one of the nation’s most potent offenses, as Alabama led the country in points per game in the 2025-26 season. The Crimson Tide (No. 16) finished the season with a 25-10 record and went 13-5 against conference opponents.
Philon, who helped lead Alabama to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament, earned Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors in his sophomore season.
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In 33 games last season for Alabama, Philon scored 725 total points, which is ranked third-most by a player in a single season in program history.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver shakes hands with Labaron Philon Jr. after he is drafted twenty-second overall by the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City.
Arturo Holmes / Getty Images
Philon was the 34th-ranked basketball recruit in the country entering his freshman season at Alabama, according to 247sports. The four-star guard initially committed to playing at Auburn, but decommitted. He then signed a letter of intent to play at Kansas, but didn’t play there, either. He then committed to the Crimson Tide in April 2024.
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Philon impressed as a freshman at Alabama and averaged 10.6 points in 37 games. He declared for the 2025 NBA draft but then withdrew and returned for his sophomore season, where he saw his scoring average jump more than 10 points.
Philon is a Mobile, Alabama, native and played at Baker High School in Mobile County, where he scored 2,334 points in three seasons. He was named the Class 7A Player of the Year twice.
As a junior, he averaged 35 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists and was named Alabama Mr. Basketball, which is given to the best high school boys’ basketball player in the state. Philon transferred to Link Academy, a boarding school in Missouri, for his senior year of high school.
Philon now joins a backcourt headlined by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe heading into the 2026-27 season. Quentin Grimes could return to Philadelphia next season and add even more depth, but he’s an unrestricted free agent.
The pick the Sixers used to pick Philon was acquired in the deal that sent Jared McCain to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline.
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Labaron Philon Jr. scouting report
CBS Sports had Philon ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the 2026 NBA draft.
Here are his strengths and weaknesses, according to CBS Sports:
Strengths
On-ball creator who made an extreme leap as a sophomore, ranking in the 99th percentile in isolations (was 24th percentile as a freshman) and 94th as a pick-and-roll handler (was 32nd percentile as a freshman). Combines smooth attack with sudden change of speed and direction, dexterity, and finishing craft in the lane.
Shot-maker who can make tough shots off both the catch (36% on contested catch-and-shoot 3-pointers), dribble (38% from deep), and has extreme gravity when he’s spacing the floor (46% on unguarded catch-and-shoot 3-pointers).
Shown pliability to thrive in different roles over the years and is a similarly versatile creator, because he’s a scoring threat at multiple levels and also an accurate, and somewhat creative, passer with both hands off the dribble.
Weaknesses
Inconsistent defensive approach. Showed more engagement and potential as a freshman, but couldn’t maintain that as a sophomore when taking on a bigger offensive role.
Lacks overwhelming physicality or highest level explosiveness, and didn’t add any notable muscle mass between his freshman and sophomore seasons (175 pounds at 2025 combine and 176 at 2026 combine).
Unclear how well his creation scales to the NBA level when he will have less usage and volume coupled by more physicality in opposing defenders.
Alabama football hosted a hometown kid for an official visit last weekend when it got Jeremiah Beverley on campus for an official visit.
Beverley attends Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and ESPN currently has him rated as a four-star recruit. He is considering Alabama, Cincinnati, Wake Forest and others.
The Crimson Tide offered Beverley earlier this month and got him on campus for an official visit last weekend. The Alabama target told Touchdown Alabama he used the visit to learn what the Tide has planned for him if he commits.
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“I’m truly happy that I went on that official visit,” Beverley said. “Blessed for that. All I was talking about was the next step, what I got to do? So, just knowing what they have planned for me, knowing what they have set for me.”
At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Beverley makes plays for Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa as a defensive end. Alabama has plans to use him similarly at the next level.
“They’re going to have me at wolf mostly,” Beverley said. “I know coach (Kane) Wommack and coach (Christian) Robinson, I think they see me at other positions, but I know it is guaranteed they’re going to see me at Wolf and me working my way up on special teams, and they expect that out of me.”
Beverley is expected to announce a commitment decision on Friday.
Watch Jeremiah Beverley’s Highlights Below:
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Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
Alabama football is hiring Noah Fisher to be its assistant tight ends coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Fisher spent two seasons as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line and tight ends at Louisville before joining the Tide’s staff. He played three years on the offensive line at South Alabama and spent one season with Tulane. The Jaguars started Fisher along its offensive line when he was a player for multiple games.
The Crimson Tide appear to want to use their tight ends in multiple ways in the future including as extra blockers along the line of scrimmage. Fisher looks as if he can assist the Tide with this mission.
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Justin Smith is the Managing Editor and Lead Writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine with over 10 years of writing experience & expertise. Smith has consistently delivered high quality, extensively researched information on the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide football team that fans can trust. Smith is official credentialed media with the University of Alabama under Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He is also the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Enterprises, specializing in scouting and analyzing high school recruits around the nation, specifically focusing on recruits within the state of Alabama.
