When people talk about nostalgic family dining, they rarely mention the places that served up comfort on a budget with a heavy dose of country kitsch. Po Folks restaurant occupies a unique space in American casual dining history. Founded in 1975 in Anderson, South Carolina, by Cole Stewart, the chain grew from a single down-home eatery into a major regional powerhouse during the 1980s before shrinking to a handful of surviving locations. If you grew up in the South during the Reagan administration, you probably remember drinking sweet tea out of mason jars and eating country-fried steak under a corrugated tin roof.
Understanding the trajectory of Po Folks requires looking past the glossy marketing blurbs and examining how a quirky regional concept scaled rapidly, partnered with country music icons, and ultimately survived corporate restructuring. This deep dive covers the founding era, the corporate boom under Krystal, the celebrity investments that went awry, and what remains of the brand today.
Humble Beginnings in South Carolina
The concept behind Po Folks was simple: offer affordable, homestyle Southern meals that didn't break the bank, hence the name nodding to the traditional expression for working-class families. The original Anderson location focused on scratch-made biscuits, fried chicken, catfish, and vegetable plates cooked the way grandmothers across the region had done for generations.
Unlike formal sit-down restaurants or fast-food burger joints, Po Folks leaned into rustic charm. Dining rooms featured mismatched antique furniture, vintage farm tools on the walls, and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere. Customers weren't paying for upscale ambiance; they were paying for generous portions of country ham, collard greens, and mashed potatoes smothered in gravy.
The Krystal Corporation Era and Rapid Expansion
The brand's trajectory shifted dramatically in 1982 when the Chattanooga-based fast-food chain Krystal acquired Po Folks. Under corporate backing, the chain expanded aggressively across the American Southeast and Midwest. By 1984, the restaurant footprint had ballooned to over 100 locations across seventeen states.
During this growth spurt, the company capitalized heavily on country music culture. Legendary country artist Bill Anderson, whose 1961 hit song "Po' Folks" inspired the thematic spirit of the chain, became closely associated with the brand [1.1.4]. The restaurant even sponsored Fandango, a popular country-music game show broadcast on TNN [1.1.1].
Celebrity involvement didn't stop there. Actor Burt Reynolds and music executive Buddy Killen formed a partnership to acquire major franchise rights and invest heavily in the brand's expansion [1.1.1]. For a few years, Po Folks was a dominant player in the mid-tier casual dining sector, competing directly with emerging brands like Cracker Barrel.
Corporate Bankruptcy and Retrenchment
Rapid expansion isn't always sustainable. By the late 1980s, the chain faced severe financial headwinds, compounded by internal management controversies—including construction kickback scandals that dogged expansion executives [1.1.1]. Krystal merged Po Folks with DavCo, its division that franchised Wendy's restaurants, but the mounting debts proved insurmountable [1.1.1].
In 1988, Po Folks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and liquidated its corporate assets [1.1.1]. For Burt Reynolds and other investors, the venture resulted in substantial financial losses [1.1.1]. Most of the nationwide locations closed their doors permanently over the next several years, turning the once-ubiquitous chain into a fading childhood memory for millions of diners.
Surviving Locations and Modern Legacy
Despite the corporate collapse, the brand didn't vanish entirely. Independent operators purchased remaining regional units, particularly in the Florida Panhandle and parts of Alabama [1.2.1]. Today, a small number of traditional PoFolks restaurants remain active, continuing to serve fried chicken, country-fried steak, and classic sides to loyal locals and nostalgic travelers [1.1.1].
You can read more about the Krystal Company and its historical footprint in the Tennessee Encyclopedia. For a broader look at how regional chains shaped American dining, check out records on Wikipedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Po Folks restaurant founded?
The first Po Folks location opened in 1975 in Anderson, South Carolina [1.1.1].
Who founded Po Folks?
The chain was originally established by founder Cole Stewart before being acquired and scaled by the Krystal Corporation in 1982 [1.1.1].
Why did most Po Folks locations close?
The chain expanded too rapidly during the mid-1980s, leading to high corporate debt, management disputes, and eventual bankruptcy liquidation in 1988 [1.1.1].
Are there any Po Folks restaurants still open?
Yes, a small handful of independent locations continue to operate in the Florida Panhandle and surrounding areas, keeping the original menu alive [1.2.1].
