Popular Nashville-based hot chicken franchise adding third Alabama location
The restaurant will be located in a piece of local history.
Liam Carter 
Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is officially firing up the kitchen for its third Alabama expansion, securing a spot in a cornerstone of Auburn history.
The celebrated Nashville-based franchise moved closer to its grand opening this week after the Auburn City Council granted approval for the business's liquor license. The restaurant will occupy 121 N. College St., effectively repurposing the iconic former site of the Tiger Theatre.
A Historic New Home
When the project was first announced last year, plans detailed a footprint of 3,685 square feet. This layout includes a 2,923-square-foot dining area complemented by a 762-square-foot covered patio space.
City Councilman Sonny Moreman touted the incoming business as a family-owned operation that serves as a perfect fit for the Auburn community. He expressed his appreciation for the venue's preservation, noting, "It’s nice to see the Tiger Theatre wasn’t torn down, that we’re using it for another business, and that it’s going to be with us a little longer." The original theatre, famous for its classic neon marquee, operated from 1928 until 1997.
Expanding Across the Heart of Dixie
This latest addition continues a steady growth pattern for the brand in Alabama. Hattie B’s first broke into the state market in Birmingham back in 2016, followed by an expansion into Huntsville last year.
Heat Levels and Menu Staples
Known for its signature spicy fried chicken, Hattie B’s offers a spectrum of intensity for every palate. Diners can select from a range of heat levels, beginning with the mild "Southern" option and climbing all the way to the notorious "shut the cluck up!!!"
Whether you prefer a sandwich served with a side or a hearty plate of wings, tenders, or white or dark meat paired with two sides, the menu remains focused on classic southern comfort. Available sides and snacks include bacon cheddar grits, pimento mac-and-cheese, Southern greens, fried pickles, red-skin potato salad, French fries, baked beans, coleslaw, and black-eyed pea salad.
