Knoxville biz ticker: Shoney's Restaurant in Pigeon Forge reopens

Knoxville
The Sunsphere, with Mount LeConte in the distance, is pictured Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014.

Latest news releases on business happenings in Greater Knoxville Business Journal area. Check back all week for updates.

Grand Re-Opening of Shoney’s Restaurant in Pigeon Forge on Thursday, 5/17/18

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. an employee-owned and operated franchise of Shoney’s Restaurants announces that the location at 3885 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN has completed the renovations that began in January. The interior was totally remodeled, with updated finishes on walls, ceilings, floors, new tables and chairs along with a stunning new Fresh Food Bar.

The exterior features a new mountain lodge style entrance, updated paint and signage along with a new metal roof and resurfaced parking. Murals on the walls include scenes from the past of Pigeon Forge, (provided by the Pigeon Forge Library), along with images of Shoney’s Famous menu items, the All-American Burger, Slim Jim Sandwich, Pancakes and the craveable desserts, Hot Fudge Cake and Strawberry Pie.

Roy Leslie, President & CEO of Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. says, “We have wanted to upgrade our interior and exterior for some time. We are thrilled to show off the new image to our loyal Shoney’s guests. Our guests will feel cozy and comfortable in the mountain lodge design of the new exterior and interior. Along with improving the physical appearance of our restaurant, we have always and will continue to provide the good quality, fresh food in a family-friendly atmosphere. We’ve added TV’s and also have free Wi-Fi access for the convenience of our guests.”

Mr. Leslie also announced “To show our appreciation for our loyal, local guests and our local community, at Shoney’s two Pigeon Forge locations, we are now offering all Sevier County residents and anyone who works at a Sevier County business to receive 15% off your meal anytime you visit our Sevier County restaurants. We value your patronage, and we want to encourage you to visit Shoney’s more often. We hope this valuable incentive will inspire you to do that!” Details on the discounts: Valid at Shoney’s two Pigeon Forge restaurants, only. • 3164 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 - 865-453-1806 • 3885 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 – 865-428-3440 For residents, they simply show the cashier their Sevier County driver’s license. For employees who work at a Sevier County business please show your driver’s license and a pay check stub from the last 2-week period and Shoney’s will be happy to give you a 15% discount for your meal.

Mr. Leslie went on to say, “I’m excited to announce that Shoney’s is returning to Gatlinburg! We have found a suitable location on the parkway and are currently doing upgrades to that restaurant. We have a goal to open that location in mid-summer. It was very disappointing for Shoney’s, when after 50 years, our Gatlinburg location’s lease expired. So, we are thrilled to be back in that community - very soon. When it opens we hope you will visit Shoney’s there as well.”

Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. currently operates three restaurants in Sevier County: • 3164 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 - 865-453-1806 • 3885 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 – 865-428-3440 • 339 Forks of the River Parkway, Sevierville, TN 37862 – 865-453-1706 When adding the fourth location in Gatlinburg (at 942 Parkway, Gatlinburg) at Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc. will employ over 150 people and continue to contribute to support the local economy. A list of restaurants can be found on our website at http://www.shoneysknox.com/locations/.

About Shoney’s of Knoxville, Inc.: Family-friendly restaurants, open since 1962. Famous for the bountiful breakfast, lunch and dinner Fresh Food Bars, along with Shoney’s full-service menu. The company operates 19 Restaurants in 10 East Tennessee counties and employees over 700 people. Visit the website for detailed menus and more information. www.shoneysknox.com. Honored to be acknowledged for these recognitions: • 2018 Pauly Award, for Community Service of the Year (Restaurant). Presented by the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association. • 2017 Pinnacle Business – Impact Award. Presented by the Knoxville Chamber • 2010 Restaurant Neighbor Award – Tennessee State Winner for Community Service. Presented by the National Restaurant Association and the Tennessee Hospitality Association. • 2009 Restaurant Neighbor Award – Tennessee State Winner for Community Service. Presented by the National Restaurant Association and the Tennessee Hospitality Association. • 2008 Restaurant Neighbor Award – Tennessee State Winner for Community Service. Presented by the National Restaurant Association and the Tennessee Restaurant Association. • 2007 The “V” Award – Public Service Program, with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Presented by the Public Relations Society of America/Volunteer Chapter. • 2005 The “V” Award – Community Service Award, with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Presented by the Public Relations Society of America/Volunteer Chapter. • Numerous “Best of Reader’s Choice” Newspaper awards

Designsensory Announces the Acquisition of Best Behavior Creative Club

Knoxville Integrated Marketing Agency Welcomes Chris McAdoo, Courtney Hendricks, Clients

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Today, Designsensory announced the acquisition of Best Behavior Creative Club, an innovative agency specializing in design, branding and integrated marketing. Founded 17 years ago in Knoxville, Tennessee, Designsensory is a 40+ person, full-service agency and currently works with organizations at the local, state, regional and national level.

Best Behavior Creative Club was founded in 2009 by Chris McAdoo. He joins Designsensory as a Creative Director, while Courtney Hendricks joins the team as an Art Director. This acquisition will enhance the Designsensory creative team and aid the company in its continued growth.

“I look forward to helping Designsensory grow while expanding the heart of the Best Behavior creative influence,” said McAdoo. “We wouldn’t have brought our team and clients into the fold if I didn’t wholeheartedly believe that we’re going be doing some amazing, effective work. Designsensory is filled with good, talented people that put their heart and soul into their work and relationships with their fellow creatives.”

Designsensory offers branding, advertising and digital services, as well as in-house research, media planning, public relations, social media and other marketing capabilities. The company’s previous acquisitions include design studio Media South, and Lancaster Research.

“There has been long-standing respect between both of our companies because of shared values, goals and mission,” said Joseph Nother, Executive Creative Director and Co-Founder of Designsensory. “We put our clients first and strive to deliver value in boldly innovative and people-centric ways that are atypical of traditional agencies. Chris and Courtney, and Best Behavior’s clients, are more than welcome additions to Designsensory.”

Client lists, vendors and partnerships will remain the same throughout the transition, and existing contracts will be maintained.

Best Behavior Creative Club clients include Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, Three Roots Capital, nonprofit radio station WDVX, and more. They will join the clients that Designsensory currently serves, including numerous departments at the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Authority, Bristol Motor Speedway, Augusta Tourism, Zoo Knoxville and more.

Designsensory and Best Behavior Creative Club are both award-winning agencies and have earned repeated and widespread recognition for their work. The acquisition will deepen Designsensory’s creative firepower and bring an expanded service offering to Best Behavior Creative Club’s clients. 

About Designsensory

Designsensory is a Knoxville-based, full-service agency that specializes in branding, marketing and digital experiences. Since its founding in 2001, Designsensory has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 List of America's fastest-growing companies and continues to build its team of fearless creatives, technologists and strategists. We help brands connect, differentiate and delight through integrated marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.designsensory.com.

 

Contracting opportunities at Y-12

Want to do business with the Y-12 National Security Complex?
The nuclear facility is holding a forum for construction and related businesses Thursday, June 7, on how to get procurement contracts for more than $500 million in upcoming work, according to a news release.
Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC will hold the Partners in Excellence Outreach Forum from 8 a.m. to noon at Y-12’s New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road in Oak Ridge. Check-in starts at 7:30 a.m.
It’s free, but registration is required. Businesses that want to participate are asked send their company name, names of representatives who will attend the forum, and email addresses to Lisa Copeland, Y-12 Small Business Programs manager, lisa.copeland@cns.doe.gov.
The forum will describe the Y-12 site, requirements for work there, and the procurement process, the news release said. CNS expects to use construction, mechanical, HVAC, electrical, site preparation and related businesses in its upcoming half-billion-dollar construction program.

 

Hickory Construction Develops New Eye Surgery Center of Knoxville

Mixed material medical facility features open layout

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Patient needs come first when designing and constructing medical facilities. For Hickory Construction, this personalized attention to detail was essential in its partnership with the Eye Surgery Center of Knoxville during the development of its newest facility. Alcoa-based general contractor Hickory Construction worked seamlessly with its team to build a contemporary facility that caters to the unique needs of each patient.                                                          

Located on Dannaher Drive in Powell, TN, the Eye Surgery Center was designed by UrbanARCH Architecture and completed in January 2018.

The exterior of the building features a modern design achieved via the use of mixed materials including standing seam metal, Trex siding, brick and Hardie panels.

The interior welcomes visitors with an open layout, as well as three surgical suites and a spacious recovery area with room for 10 patients.

One specific challenge Hickory Construction faced during construction was the installation of the center’s Heating and Air Conditioning System. “Being that the doctors deal with eyes, getting the HVAC system right was crucial,” explains Chris Duncan, Vice President of Hickory’s Commercial Operations. Humidity is essential during surgery as it keeps eyes from drying out. With an almost 70% humidity rate, the surgical suites feature the optimized levels doctors and patients need.

“Not only did the heating and air conditioning system need to have extra filtration, but it also required a higher humidity level than normal,” says Duncan. “We had to complete a significant amount of research to achieve ideal levels.”

Overall, the entire team behind the project delivered a cutting-edge facility that will serve patients for years to come.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with UrbanARCH and the Eye Surgery Center,” says Duncan.

To view photos of the new Eye Surgery Center in Knoxville, visit: http://www.hickoryconstruction.com/news/eye-surgery-center-knoxville-opens-new-cutting-edge-facility/

About Hickory Construction

Building trust on performance has been Hickory Construction’s hallmark since undertaking its first project in 1977. Today, Hickory Construction has earned a reputation as one of the most respected general contractors in East Tennessee. The company is committed to paying attention to every detail, being faithful stewards of its clients’ investments and building a lifetime of value into every project.

Margaritaville jobs come to Gatlinburg

The Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg is hiring in anticipation of its summer grand opening.

The luxury resort’s hiring center opened May 14 at 467 Parkway, and a special hiring event will be held Tuesday, May 22, with refreshments and prizes, according to a news release.

The hiring center will be open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The hiring event will run during that day’s regular hours.

Jobs available include a range of hotel and restaurant jobs, including pool attendant. Applicants should bring two forms of ID, a resume, and any applicable permits such as ABC cards and ServSafe certification, according to the news release.

For more information contact Darlene Suter, darlene.suter@margaritavilleresortgatlinburg.com.

Construction on the seven-story Margaritaville Resort began in December 2016 on the site of the former Best Western Twin Islands at 539 Parkway. The work of developer Bob McManus and partners, the $35 million project is expected to have 163 rooms and was originally planned to have a July 2018 opening. An associated LandShark Grill opened last summer, on the former Hard Rock Café’s Parkway frontage.

Part of the Jimmy Buffett hospitality family, the resort is to feature another restaurant, coffee shop, retail store and pool complex. The resort and associated restaurants were expected to provide 150 jobs, according to McManus.

Knoxville winner of Food City cash

A Knoxville woman won $6,700 from Food City’s $100,000 Treasure Hunt Prize Patrol on Saturday, part of a total of $29,100 given out, according to a company news release.

Winners are selected randomly from Food City ValuCard users. Shoppers are automatically entered when they use the card to buy five or more Food City-brand and related products, the news release said. The contest runs April 18 to June 13. When the Prize Patrol shows up, winners have 10 minutes to find their ValuCard and qualifying products for ever-increasing amounts of money, to a maximum of $10,000.

This round’s winners also included $10,000 to a Bristol, Virginia woman; $7,000 to a Pikeville, Kentucky woman, and $5,400 to a Flintstone, Georgia woman.

The Knoxville winner was identified only as Tonya C.

More prizes will be given May 26, June 9 and June 23.

The contest celebrates Food City’s 100th anniversary. It’s open to 18-year-old residents of Tennessee and six other states, according to the company.

“Food City is extremely proud to be celebrating our 100th Anniversary,” said Steven Smith, Food City president and CEO, in the news release. “This would not be possible without the support and loyalty of our valued customers and associates.  To show our appreciation, we have lots of special surprises cued up.  But we felt it befitting to begin the celebration with the return of everyone’s all-time favorite – the $100,000 Treasure Hunt”

Food City’s parent company, K-VA-T Food Stores, is headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia, and has 132 stores in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia.

Dollywood offers two-park deal

As Dollywood opens for the season May 19, a two-day Dollywood advance ticket will also get you into Dollywood’s Splash Country. The free ticket upgrades can be bought online until May 18, and used through June 3.

As the waterpark enters its 18th season, it opens with improvements including new landscaping and paint, new lounge chairs, Luxury Loungers for rent, and faster self-service ticket kiosk and ride wait times, according to a company news release.

“We love combing through guest feedback and delivering solutions to those requests,” Dollywood’s Splash Country General Manager Janet Dawson said in the announcement. “This season we’re pleased we can provide so much added value including Platinum TimeSaver H2O, new shade structures over queue lines, and new aquatic wheelchairs.”

The food stands have many new menu items, and now include a Trailhead Tacos. Tuesdays, dubbed “Too Hot Tuesdays,” will have a family-friendly DJ on the wave pool deck from noon to 3 p.m., the release said.

Factory coming to Dayton

A heating and cooling equipment maker plans to put its factory and headquarters in Dayton, creating about 70 jobs over two years and investing $3.4 million, the state announced Monday.

Coil Design Corp. will renovate the former Goodman Manufacturing plant, and expects to be in production in the second quarter of this year, according to a news release. There it will design and make cooling and heating coils.

“Coil Design Corporation will be the supplier of choice for coils in the heating, cooling, refrigeration and aftermarket industries,” Coil Design Corporation CEO Paul Guariglia said in the announcement. “We have a skilled staff of employees that manufactured coils at this very site for 21 years under its previous ownership. The presence of an existing, highly trained labor force will allow us to grow at an accelerated pace while maintaining the highest level of quality. Tennessee is a great place to operate a business and Dayton is a location that met all of our needs. We are grateful for the support we have received from the city, county and state.”

Coil Design plans to hire machine operators, copper flame brazing technicians, assembly workers, drafters, engineers and sales staff, according to the news release.

The Tennessee Valley Authority does not disclose incentives it provides to attract companies, but the state news release says TVA “also supported” this deal, indicating that some incentive exists.