Big Bad Breakfast Will Open in Memphis on September 29
The breakfast chain plans to launch its new Cooper-Young location later this week in the former Mulan Asian Bistro space.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Dining Out
Live Poll
Do you believe new chain restaurant locations generally improve the character of your local neighborhood?
Big Bad Breakfast will open its latest restaurant at 2149 Young Ave. in Memphis on September 29, 2026. The new location brings the popular Southern-focused chain to the Cooper-Young neighborhood.
Why it matters
The expansion reflects the company's broader growth strategy across the Southeast, with Chef John Currence returning to a neighborhood he frequently visited during the 1990s. The site takes over a storefront that had been vacant since a kitchen fire closed Mulan Asian Bistro in 2025.
The restaurant will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and will feature vegetarian and gluten-free dietary options.
The players
Big Bad Breakfast
A restaurant chain specializing in Southern breakfast cuisine that operates more than 25 locations.
John Currence
The chef behind the Big Bad Breakfast chain who previously opened City Grocery in Oxford in 1992.
The details
The facility at 2149 Young Ave. underwent extensive renovations to upgrade engineering systems while preserving a distinct aesthetic featuring wood tables, vinyl upholstery, and nostalgic advertisements. Diners can expect the standard menu of Southern staples, including shrimp and grits alongside black pepper-buttermilk biscuits.
Timeline
The first Big Bad Breakfast opened in Oxford in 2008.
Mulan Asian Bistro closed following a kitchen fire in 2025.
Big Bad Breakfast opens in Cooper-Young on September 29, 2026.
Brentwood and Murfreesboro locations are scheduled to open later in 2026.
Culture Shift
This opening aligns with the company's Southeast expansion strategy, which has scaled the brand to over 25 locations since its 2008 debut. The move illustrates the ongoing trend of established Southern restaurant groups scaling into historic urban neighborhoods.
Residents of Cooper-Young can expect new morning dining options starting at 7 a.m. daily. The location provides specific menu accommodations including gluten-free and vegetarian selections for local diners.
The takeaway
The restaurant occupies the renovated site of a former community staple, breathing new life into a long-vacant commercial space. Prospective diners should note the 2:30 p.m. closing time when planning their visits.
What happens next
The chain is scheduled to open additional locations in Brentwood and Murfreesboro during the remainder of 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, browse the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Commercial Appeal.
Live Poll
Do you believe new chain restaurant locations generally improve the character of your local neighborhood?
