Pictured, left to right: City Manager Chris Dorsey, Mandy Veazey, Champy’s owners Seth and Crissy Champion, East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams, Delaney Steele and Israel Pardo
Officials from East Ridge announced today that Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken plans to open a new location in their city. The Chattanooga-based fried chicken restaurant will be located at 6515 Ringgold Road on the west side of I-75, and is anticipated to seat up to 250 patrons which would make this restaurant the largest of all the Champy’s restaurants. Local owners Seth and Crissy Champion opened the first Champy’s Restaurant in June, 2009, and have since opened up a total of eight other Champy’s restaurants across the southeast in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. Champy’s fried chicken is made from an old family recipe from “Down in the Delta” that is more than 40 years old.
“I am extremely excited to welcome a new Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken restaurant to East Ridge,” said East Ridge Mayor Brian Williams. “Champy’s is an exceptional restaurant with delicious chicken. This is what our citizens have been asking for – more restaurant choices and this topnotch full service restaurant falls into that category. We look forward to working with Seth and Crissy Champion in making this Champy’s their most successful restaurant.”
"East Ridge officials view the Champy’s restaurant announcement, along with the recently announced $125M mixed-use Chattanooga Red Wolves Development in the City, as further confirmation of the economic benefits available to businesses as a result of the Border Region District granted to the City in 2012," officials said. "Furthermore, officials recognize the positive impact that the City is experiencing as business growth continues to organically move west towards the center of the City and onward towards the tunnels near Missionary Ridge."
“I have been city manager for almost seven weeks and I am amazed at the continued interest by various businesses in looking to expand into East Ridge,” said East Ridge City Manager Chris Dorsey. “East Ridge is the gateway into Tennessee on I-75 and the Champions recognize the value in investing in this community to further enhance the restaurant experience for our citizens and guests.”
"Champy’s fresh homemade meals and friendly dining atmosphere have created a large following with locations on ML King Boulevard and on Lee Highway," officials said. "In addition to mouthwatering chicken, Champy’s also serves Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales, as well as farm-raised Mississippi Delta catfish. All Chicken is prepared to order and all sides are prepared fresh in house. Champy’s also offers a New Orleans style cuisine, such as fresh boiled Crawfish, when in season, as well as homemade authentic New Orleans red beans and gumbo.
"The East Ridge location will be an added boost for the Border Region development area and for the southeast Hamilton county and northeast Georgia area."
The new restaurant, scheduled to open in Spring 2020, is expected to bring 80 jobs with indoor and outdoor seating.
“Crissy and I could not be more excited to help continue the positive growth that East Ridge is experiencing,” stated Mr. Champion. “The local City officials have been top notch in discussing the potential for a Champy’s restaurant in East Ridge and I consider it an honor to be a part of the East Ridge community.”