Chicken with a side of kindness

With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on hold due to the federal government shutdown, food security is becoming an all-too real concern for many of our friends and neighbors. Hit particularly hard in this situation are children. Luckily, many are stepping up to lend a hand.

Our local Zaxby's is doing its part, offering one free kids' meal per child, per day for those who can show a valid EBT card with matching ID. Children must be 12 and under and be present for the dine-in-only offer. The offer is good from today through Saturday, Nov. 9, or until SNAP benefits are restored.

"We just want to help the kids, and don't want to see them going without," Zaxby's General Manager Tricia Kilgore said when contacted by the Main Street Journal. "Our owners decided to come together to offer this at all of their locations where people are affected by the lack of SNAP benefits. People can come once a day with their children to get the free kids' meals. The only requirement is to show the EBT card."

The offer is good at Zaxby's owned by CarterChicken Inc. and H&M Chicken LLC locations, including McMinnville; Lawrenceburg, Tenn.; Lewisburg, Tenn.; Andalusia, Ala.; Evergreen Ala.; DeFuniak Springs, Fla.; Enterprise, Ala.; Ozark, Ala. and Greenville, Ala.

I applaud Zaxby's efforts to help our neighbors in need, and I intend to have a few extra Zalads to support their kind offer. I encourage any businesses offering similar support who would like to get the word out to contact me at seth.wright@mainstreetmedia.llc.

Firehouse Subs in the works

In case you missed our Facebook post breaking the news, Firehouse Subs has received a business license from the Warren County Clerk’s office. The business owner is listed as Stacy M. Watson.

Northgate Shopping Center officials confirmed to me there is a signed letter of intent for Firehouse Subs to be located between Five Below and Save A Lot.

A letter of intent is a non-binding document between two parties that intend to enter into a business transaction with each other. With this letter, the involved parties agree that they aim to formalize the transaction with a legally binding agreement, but no deal has been finalized.

The news was met with great enthusiasm on the Main Street Journal’s Facebook page. Coupled with the news I reported Oct. 17 that Ross Dress For Less is coming to the spot formerly occupied by Big Lots, 2026 is shaping up to be a big year for Northgate.

Check out the rest of October’s business listings below.

Until next time, the Beat goes on

Thanks for reading Biz Beat presented by Ben Lomand Connect. Send your local business questions, suggestions and tips to me at Seth.wright@mainstreeedia.llc.