Benton’s Bacon Opening First Restaurant With Dancing Bear Partnership
TOWNSEND, TENNESSEE — Many people believed that one of Tennessee’s most recognizable food businesses would never do something like this.
After decades of building a national reputation for its famous dry-cured bacon, ham, and sausage, Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams is partnering with Oldham Hospitality to open its very first restaurant.
Sharons’ Half Day Cafe, a new concept set to open in Townsend in mid-July, will bring together two family enterprises that have helped define East Tennessee’s food culture over generations.
What’s New
Sharon’s Half-Day Cafe will open at 7955 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway is at a former Pizza Hut facility just down the street from Peaceful Side Social.
The project is a collaboration between Benton’s Smoky Mountain Country Hams and Oldham Hospitality, the team behind popular destinations such as Dancing Bear Appalachian Bistro and Peaceful Side Social.
The restaurant’s name celebrates the matriarchs of both families, Sharon Benton and Sharon Oldham.
What makes the announcement particularly surprising is Benton’s long-standing reputation for declining restaurant partnership opportunities.
According to Oldham Hospitality executives, the Benton family had historically turned down proposals to expand into the restaurant business. That all changed when a casual encounter between Houston Oldham and Darrell Benton at a festival unexpectedly turned into a serious business prospect.
The result is a concept designed to showcase Benton’s products in a more accessible way than ever before.
Menu & Experience (with POV)
Sharons’ Half Day Cafe will serve breakfast and lunch with a fast-casual style.
Guests can expect:
- Benton’s famous bacon and country ham
- Traditional Appalachian breakfast dishes
- House-made recipes inspired by both families
- Full coffee bar
- Fast-casual ordering system
- Semi-open kitchen design
Chef Jeff Carter, who has helped establish the culinary essence of the Dancing Bear brand, is leading menu development.
While the restaurant will feature a more modern interior design, the food itself will stay rooted in classic Appalachian traditions.
From my perspective, that’s what makes this concept compelling. Many restaurant alliances attempt to remake themselves entirely. Sharon’s Half Day Cafe looks to be focused on upgrading cuisine that people already enjoy while introducing them to a larger audience.
And honestly, Benton’s bacon alone gives the restaurant immediate credibility among food enthusiasts.
Community Buzz
The announcement has sparked widespread enthusiasm throughout East Tennessee, particularly among old Benton’s customers.
For years, Benton’s bacon has earned a cult following among chefs and food lovers nationwide. Its products have appeared on menus at acclaimed restaurants across the country, but consumers rarely had a dedicated place to experience the brand in a restaurant setting.
Visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains region will now have exactly that.
Despite being located in a tourist-heavy destination, the owners insist the restaurant won’t become a typical tourist attraction.
Instead, they think it will benefit both visitors and residents by emphasizing traditional cuisine, high-quality ingredients, and real hospitality.
There are already discussions about expanding the concept into other Tennessee communities if the first location proves successful.
Final Thoughts
Sharons’ Half Day Cafe represents more than just another restaurant opening.
It’s the first time one of Tennessee’s most respected food producers has ventured straight into the restaurant business, developing a concept centered on family history, Appalachian customs, and products that have become famous among foodies.
For Benton’s fans, it’s a long-awaited opportunity to experience the brand in an entirely new way.
And for Townsend, it’s another one-of-a-kind addition to a burgeoning eating scene that’s gaining traction beyond the Smokies.
Stay tuned with CityScoopNow for more Fresh Finds across the U.S. — and tell us: what local food brand would you love to see open its own restaurant?