The Alabama football program developed itself into one of the premiere destinations for wide receivers looking to head into the NFL under Nick Saban’s leadership. From Julio Jones to Jameson Williams the Crimson Tide saw nine receivers taken in the first round over a 14-year period with 12 receivers total selected across all seven rounds in the same time frame.

Saban retired in January creating doubts in the Alabama program’s ability to maintain the standards set under the legendary head coach. One area that should come through the transition unscathed is the wide receiver room. Alabama’s new head coach Kalen DeBoer played wide receiver in college and ensured that his receivers coach at Washington, JaMarcus Shephard, was one of the coaches who joined his staff in Tuscaloosa.

The duo’s ability to connect with their players and develop talent at a high level made transferring to Tuscaloosa an easy choice for Washington transfer Germie Bernard.

“The recipe that he [DeBoer] has of winning,” said Bernard on Wednesday. “If you look at his track record every school that he’s been to he’s winning and they have a great offense that’s going to get the receivers the ball and be explosive and that’s something I wanted to be in.”

It doesn’t hurt that DeBoer and Shephard just put three receivers into the NFL draft themselves as the Huskies just sent Rome Odunze, Ja’Lyn Polk and Jalen McMillan into the first three rounds of the draft. The Alabama coaching staff has complemented Bernard’s leadership during the transition and hopes for another draft success story in the spring.

“I think Germie has been awesome and has had a great camp and had a great spring. He’s a great football player,” said Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. “Certainly, in addition to that, his leadership, his character, who he is as a person, his willingness to help those around him — he wants his teammates to do well. Obviously has knowledge of the system and has played in it previously. Germ’s been great and we’re lucky to have him.”

It goes even deeper than just football, though, with Bernard. The transfer commended Shephard’s influence on Bernard’s faith on Tuesday noting that his unselfish nature permeated the entire building.

“Obviously the coaching aspect, I mean you guys know what [Shephard] does. It’s more than that. The faith piece, the way he believes in God, and the way he spreads his word to his players. Everybody throughout the building. He’s a great man. He cares for others, he loves others, very unselfish. Man, like I said, he’s just a great dude overall,” said Bernard.

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.)

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

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.

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

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.

More info: eatahero.com.

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

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.

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

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.

More info: sneakypetes.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

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

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.

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

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.

More info: urbancookhouse.com.

Consistency has been the word of Alabama football’s preseason camp. If you ask coach Kalen DeBoer, nobody embodied it better early than the defensive line.

“I think that position group has been the most consistent,” DeBoer said Sunday. “I like where they’re at.”

He saw it defend the run well and put pressure on the quarterback consistently.

“They’re just around, making the quarterback back there have to move around and make some plays,” DeBoer said.

AL.com wanted to go take a look at what DeBoer was talking about. So, at the latest media practice viewing, we watched the defensive line for about 25 minutes of individual position drills. Here’s what we saw on Tuesday.

Alabama football practice observations: Defensive line

• Watching some positions go through drills can provide an indication of the pecking order. That was only somewhat the case with the defensive line. Veterans who figure to be leaders in the rotation such as Tim Keenan III and Jah-Marien Latham often took their reps early in drills. But there really didn’t seem to be an exact order. It changed from one drill to the next.
• Speaking of Keenan, it’s clear he’s a leader at the position. He frequently went first through drills. And there’s a reason for it. He explained after practice: “It’s easy to fuss at a guy if he doesn’t know,” Keenan said. “But if you (are) fussing at him and I went first, I always like to lead by example, especially if a guy doesn’t know. Yeah you can have a motor and go and everything but you have to have the right technique, you have to know the right information, you have to have the right steps and what not. Me being the older guy, just stepping up and being that example.”
• Keenan was a starter on the defensive line in 2023 and he figures to be one again this season at defensive tackle. Here’s what Freddie Roach, the defensive line coach, said about Keenan: “He’s been remarkable. Ever since last year. The kid comes to work, he tries to lead. He does what he’s asking other people to do. He’s one of the best guys we’ve got on this team as well.”
• Keenan had a nice rep on one of the last drills reporters saw; he swatted down a dummy like he was rushing the passer, and one coach yelled an emphatic “yes!” as Keenan completed the drill.

• LT Overton and Latham seemed to give Roach a few reps he liked; In a drill where two teammates locked up and one pushed the other back then ripped through, Roach said “good reps.”
• Overton and Latham are two of the top options at Bandit, a new term in defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s defense. It’s essentially a hybrid defensive lineman/edge rusher.
• Keon Keeley is another Bandit option on the roster. The coaching staff moved him from outside linebacker to Bandit in the spring because “as you see what Keon is developing into and may develop into at the next level, that’s more of a better fit for him,” Wommack said Tuesday.
• It’s been a process for Keeley to move to Bandit. That process could be seen through the individual drills. Several moments throughout the viewing period, Roach took a moment to instruct and coach up Keeley on technique.
• Roach on Keeley: “Like I told him, ‘You just focus on what it’s going to take you to be successful, alright?’ And at that point it’s his eyes, his hand placement, his footwork, ‘What do I have on assignments?’ And that’s every guy in the room, not just Keon.”
• It’s clear the potential is there for Keeley, the former five-star recruit in the 2023 class. He was the No. 2 prospect in the entire class, per the 247Sports Composite. Roach will just need to continue helping Keeley develop and become more comfortable in his new position.
• Roach is a teacher, plain and simple. He’s constantly instructing and providing feedback. He brings serious energy to his coaching.
• Roach looks like he could still play, even though it’s been almost 20 years since he was a four-year letterman at linebacker at Alabama.
• “Pad level!” became a frequent refrain for Roach as he demanded his players stay low out of their stances.

• It wasn’t easy for the big men to stay low with it almost 90 degrees at only about 9:30 a.m., but Roach harped on it nonetheless.
• Nearby, training staff members stood at the ready with water bottles, cold towels and more. Several linemen took full advantage, grabbing the towels in the black cart filled with ice water.
• Roach: “Look, I know it’s hot, they’re tired, and I get it. But the habits you create throughout the week is what’s going to come up on Saturdays when you play.”
• It’s clear there’s good experienced depth on the defensive line. There will likely be a handful of “or” starters in the rotation with the likes of Latham, Overton, Keenan, Jehiem Oatis, Tim Smith and James Smith some of the top contenders for playing time.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.