On a Sunday morning in Alabama, there are familiar rhythms and routines we’ve grown comfortable with. If you’re out in the country, it’s usually a pot of fresh-brewed coffee, a propped-open screen door, and the neighbor’s rooster that wakes you up for church just a little too early.

And for many across the state, those mornings also begin with a hot, buttery biscuit from Jack’s.

What started as a modest walk-up hamburger stand in Homewood has, over 65 years, become something much bigger than a place to eat. Jack’s has become not only a fixture in daily life—they’re also a keeper of traditions woven through generations of Southern stories.

Humble Beginnings, Lasting Impressions

In 1960, Jack’s fired up its very first grill, serving 10-cent sodas, 15-cent fries and 20-cent milkshakes. It didn’t take long for the small stand to make a lasting impression.

But it wasn’t just the prices or the food that drew people in—it was the feeling of community and connection. From the beginning, Jack’s built its identity around something simple but powerful: treating customers like family. That philosophy would shape not only how the brand grew, but how it showed up in the communities around it.

“We want guests to feel known, welcomed and valued whether they are grabbing breakfast on the way to work, picking up dinner after a long day or meeting a friend for a quick lunch,” says company representative Jackson Stickrath. “That mindset has shaped everything we do, from how our team members greet guests by name to how we stay connected in the communities we serve.”

As the South has grown and changed, Jack’s has grown with it, expanding to more than 250 locations across the region while holding tight to the values that defined its earliest days.

A Place Where Memories Live On

For many customers, Jack’s has evolved into more than a stop along the way—it’s part of their story.

“One of our longtime guests, Ronald Sullins, has been visiting since the early ’70s,” Stickrath says. “On a recent visit, he noticed a photo of his teenage self displayed on our gallery wall. He was so surprised and touched to see that memory preserved in a place that has meant so much to him over the years.”

And moments like that aren’t necessarily rare—they’re part of what defines the brand. A quick meal can carry decades of meaning, and generations return not just for the food, but for the familiarity.

From Friday Nights to Sunday Mornings

Long before fast food became a convenience, Jack’s was already a destination.

“One of my favorite memories from the early days of Jack’s was hearing stories about families piling into the car on a Friday night for burgers and hand-dipped milkshakes,” Stickrath says. “What makes it even more special is that those moments are still happening every day at Jack’s.”

That continuity is part of what has made the brand endure. From early mornings that begin with scratch-made biscuits to evenings that end with a shared meal after a long day, Jack’s has become part of the rhythm of Southern life.

“Jack’s Southern legacy comes to life in the everyday experiences we create for our guests,” Stickrath says. “It comes through in authentic Southern flavors, in team members who lead with hospitality, and in restaurants that truly become part of the neighborhood.”

Rooted in the South

As Jack’s has expanded across Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi, its connection to community has remained central to its identity.

That commitment goes beyond the dining room; it shows up in local partnerships, charitable efforts, and initiatives like the Jack’s Family Fund. It’s a reflection of the same belief that has guided the brand from the start: that success is not only measured by growth, but by impact.

“We’d be nowhere without our communities,” Stickrath says. “Being able to give back and show up for the people who support us is a responsibility we take seriously, and it’s something that will always be part of who we are.”

Even as it evolves, Jack’s continues to hold onto what has always mattered most.

“We hope first-time guests feel what has made Jack’s special since 1960—a genuine sense of pride in where we come from, a true taste of the South and the familiar comfort of family,” Stickrath says. “Our hope is that new generations walk away feeling like they have found a place they can return to again and again.”

And in a region where tradition runs deep, that kind of consistency is more than nostalgia—it’s legacy.

Because at its heart, Jack’s about more than a biscuit or a milkshake. It’s about the moments shared across tables, the stories passed down over time, and the feeling of returning to a place that has always felt like home.

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