What started in the 1950s as a small country grocery store in Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, has grown into a beloved Southern institution—and now, Cullman has its very own Puckett’s. When Andy and Jan Marshall opened the Cullman location in the fall of 2022, it was the brand’s first venture outside Tennessee, a bold move that’s already made a mark on the community.

“Puckett’s has always been about real people, real food, and a real atmosphere,” says Graci Burnett, marketing coordinator for the brand. “Here in Cullman, that looks like a place where families feel at home, the community is welcome, and the music and food are equally at the heart of the experience.”

The Puckett’s story begins in 1998, when Andy Marshall—already an experienced grocer—bought the original Puckett’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork. “It was a small store,” Burnett recalls. “We moved grocery shelves back, added a few tables, and Andy did most of the cooking himself. That small-town vibe, that sense of community, still shapes everything we do here in Cullman.”

Bringing Nashville Sound to Alabama

By 2004, the brand had opened its flagship location in Franklin, Tennessee, expanding beyond grocery items to a full-service restaurant that became a hub for live music. Leiper’s Fork was a haven for country artists, and Puckett’s was where they’d stop in and get to know Andy. That tradition continues today in Cullman, where the restaurant hosts a mix of Alabama and Nashville musicians. The brand has hosted performances by Brett Elderidge, Kelsey Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, and even legends like Vince Gill and Chris Stapleton.

“Live music is the soul of Puckett’s,” Burnett says. “When you walk in, you can see the artist, hear the story behind the song, sing along, maybe even dance. There’s never a cover charge—our goal is for people to feel like they’re in a true community space.”

Food as Part of the Story

Food is just as central to the Puckett’s experience. From Memphis-style BBQ smoked over cherry wood to Southern classics like meat-and-three plates and chicken-fried chicken, Puckett’s menu is a celebration of comfort food.

“We smoke all of our meat in-house, and our community even names our smokers,” Burnett notes. “Here in Cullman, the smoker is called The Colonel (named after city founder, Colonel John G. Cullmann). Our ribs, which just came back to the menu, are a huge hit. Everything is made from scratch, and we source as much locally as possible.”

Community & Culture

While keeping their Tennessee roots alive, the Cullman location has quickly become a homegrown favorite. The Marshalls themselves have deepened their ties to Alabama, buying a home on Smith Lake and becoming involved in local events like Rock the South, Oktoberfest, and the upcoming Cullman Restaurant Week. Puckett’s also gives back through programs like summer camps with Cullman Parks and Recreation, embracing the community that has welcomed them so warmly.

Burnett reflects on the personal moments that make the restaurant special: “We had a team member who helped open this location and passed away. Over the years, her daughters would come in, and we made sure they felt welcome. Now, the oldest works with us, which really speaks to the culture we’ve built here.”

From supporting local events to creating lasting personal connections, Puckett’s has truly woven itself into the fabric of the Cullman community.

A Place That Feels Like Home

For first-time visitors, Puckett’s offers more than food and music. “We want guests to feel like family,” Burnett says. “From the server asking how you’re doing to the music and meals that bring people together, it’s all about connection. That’s what makes Puckett’s feel like home.”

With its Southern roots, Nashville soul, and now a distinctly Cullman flair, Puckett’s is clearly more than a restaurant—it’s a community gathering place where music, food, and hospitality meet.

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