After initial talks to build in Alcoa, developers of cold treat chain Andy’s Frozen Custard have set their sights on property in downtown Maryville. The finished business, which would feature a drive-through and walk-up service, is planned to be next door to Dunkin’ on South Washington Street.
The business will likely open its doors in the first quarter of 2025.
Founded in 1986, Andy’s offers a selection of frozen custard and sweet treats made fresh daily. The company concentrates entirely on dessert items, opting not to offer other food items.
Tom Gass, franchisee for the development, said this would be the chain’s fourth location in East Tennessee, joining buildings in Sevierville, Knoxville and an upcoming site in Cedar Bluff. He and his wife, Noelle fell in love with the Maryville area while moving to the region from Missouri, and he said the couple knew they wanted to build a franchise location in town.
After initial talks with Springbrook Farm developer RealtyLink around two years ago, Gass said the couple set their sights on the Washington property, partly because they had already built a franchise next door to a Dunkin’ run by the same group as the Maryville location.
People who frequent Dunkin’ in the morning, he said, are likely to visit Andy’s later.
“They’re mainly morning business and we’re mainly afternoon and evening business,” he said in a phone interview. “It’s a very symbiotic relationship.”
An Alcoa location isn’t out of the question for the future, Gass said, but for now, Maryville feels like a better fit.
The final design for the building is pending corporate approval, but on Tuesday, May 20, the Maryville Municipal Planning Commission validated a Downtown Design Review Board decision to approve a potential design and building materials. Builders, which Gass said will likely be RTC General Contractors, will have to stay within an approved list of materials for the area.
Brandon Insco, land development administrator for Maryville, told commissioners Tuesday evening that the proposed design included brick, glass and an aluminum canopy. Neon lighting, which is often employed at other Andy’s locations, is prohibited in the area and will not make an appearance.
Gass said the property in question, which is owned by the same holding company as Dunkin’ next door, will be relatively easy to develop.
“We would probably open in January or February of 2025, depending on how quickly we can get our permits and approvals,” he said. “We don’t have to do any demolition work, and there’s not a lot of site work to be done either.”
He commended the cooperation he’s received from Maryville staff, praising their willingness to work with him through the process.
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