Just a month after announcing an "amicable division," Kennedy Concepts will close its South Knoxville brunch spot for a familiar concept to move in.
The restaurant group, whose CEO and founder Chad Kennedy died last year, is parting ways with Mimosas to welcome Puckers Sports Grill.
Puckers has been a Gatlinburg fixture since 1999 and was previously under the umbrella of Kennedy Concepts before Kennedy's longtime business partner, Gary Douglas, took over amid the company split. Its location at 745 Parkway reopened in 2024 after the original building burned down two years prior.
The Instagram account for Mimosas has been rebranded to Puckers Sports Grill, Knoxville and lists a grand reopening date of Aug. 26. The Mimosas website includes the message:
"Something new is coming to our space."
Knox News reached out to Kennedy Concepts but did not immediately hear back in time for publication.
Mimosas is the company's most recent restaurant, opening in November. It is located at the base of The Davy apartment building just across the Tennessee River from downtown Knoxville at 115 Mimosa Ave. Mimosas serves everything from early-morning breakfast to late-night bar bites and cocktails.
Changes at Kennedy Concepts
After Kennedy's death in December, the company was forced to restructure. Kennedy's two children took over as leaders, with daughter Hannah Kennedy being named the new president and CEO. Kennedy Concepts said the company would continue to operate four of the company's brands:
- Cafe 4 (Market Square)
- The Kennedy (Gay Street)
- Mimosas (South Knoxville)
- Myron Mixon BBQ (Gatlinburg)
Three other restaurants were placed under Douglas, who took ownership through Douglas Management:
- Johnny Rockets (Gatlinburg)
- Loco Burro (Gatlinburg and West Town Mall)
- Puckers (Gatlinburg)
Kennedy told Knox News in July 2025 that Mimosas was opening in the perfect spot.
"Right now, there's not enough supply for the demand down there," he said. "There's enough restaurants. There's not enough good restaurants. There's not enough bars and places with TVs. … So, it really just made sense for a location for us."
What happened to Kennedy's restaurant plans on Gay Street?
Kennedy Concepts had been planning two new concepts to replace Babalu and Frothy Monkey on Gay Street, but the group decided to halt those projects following the death of its founder.
Gemini Hospitality − the group behind Bella in Maryville and Earl's in South Knoxville − is now expanding to the former home of Babalu to fill a prime Gay Street restaurant space that has been vacant for more than a year.
Knox News reporter Joanna Hayes covers restaurants and retail for the business growth and development team. Email: joanna.hayes@knoxnews.com; Instagram: @knoxeat65. Sign up for Joanna's Eat65 email newsletter to get the latest drink and dining news, as well as restaurant recommendations, at knoxnews.com/newsletters.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Puckers is coming from Gatlinburg to Knoxville, but this brunch spot must go
