Flying Biscuit Cafe to open 1st Alabama location at The Colonnade

The first Flying Biscuit Cafe opened in Atlanta’s Candler Park area in 1993 with a friendly, neighborhood vibe, fresh ingredients, Southern-style comfort food and breakfast served all day.

That formula, which Flying Biscuit management continues to follow, has worked. 

The chain has 19 locations in four states with more coming soon, and each store bakes almost 5,000 of its signature biscuits weekly, according to the company’s website.

And Flying Biscuit offers a wide menu of updated Southern staples and traditional items with a twist, including chorizo hash, Creamy Dreamy Grits, oven-fried green tomatoes, “Not Your Mama’s Pimento Cheese,” chicken salad, turkey pot roast and shrimp and grits.

According to the website, not a single Flying Biscuit Cafe has closed.

Now Birmingham diners can see what the buzz is about, because a new Flying Biscuit Cafe is set to open at The Colonnade sometime this summer.

The local operators will seek to maintain the consistency of product and service that inspired co-owner Joe Yund when he researched the franchise opportunity.

“I visited stores that have been in business 25 years and stores in North Carolina and South Carolina that have been open 10 years,” he said. “They all have the same feel. They greet you at the door. The food has been fantastic.”

All of the Flying Biscuit locations have a “charming atmosphere,” he said. “It feels like a local neighborhood spot, no matter where it is.”

The chain’s appeal cuts across different demographics, according Joe Yund’s son, Greg Yund, who co-owns and will manage The Colonnade location. “People love Flying Biscuit no matter their age,” he said.

Measuring about 3,900 square feet, the new restaurant will seat about 140, including outside cafe seating.

The other owners are Joe Yund’s wife, Ann; Greg Yund’s wife, Morgan; and Ernie and Gretchen Kennamer.

It’s a big draw for Flying Biscuit that it serves breakfast all day, the owners said. ”Everyone loves breakfast food,” Greg Yund said.

There’s also the emotional appeal of a hot, sit-down breakfast, according to Greg Yund.

“It may bring them back to the time when their mom or dad would cook breakfast for them,” he said. “It's a chance to go to a restaurant and get that kind of comfort food.”

Breakfast can also be a “family time,” Joe Yund said. “We can all get together, especially on Saturday and Sunday.”

In fact, almost anything on the Flying Biscuit menu can inspire warm feelings, according to Joe Yund. “Southern-inspired comfort food makes people think about happy family memories,” he said.

The new Flying Biscuit will have fresh ingredients, including produce, and all of the food — including the baked goods — will be prepared fresh daily, according to Joe Yund. “That also makes us special,” he said.

The Colonnade store will also offer a new dinner menu — including items such as chicken and waffles — that Flying Biscuit is rolling out at selected locations, according to Joe Yund.

The location will also offer live entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and some Sundays. “We want to tie into the community and become part of that arts community,” Joe Yund said.

Located at 3419 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 100, Flying Biscuit will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit flyingbiscuit.com.