The Original Hot Dog Factory will be opening a new location in Atlanta in the Peoplestown neighborhood as part of its ongoing expansion plan, at 1160 Ridge Ave SW.
The restaurant, which is owned by husband and wife franchisees Joia and Torrence Evans, has over a dozen locations across the country, including four locations in Georgia.
In addition to the spot opening at the commercial development Terminal South, the hot dog eatery plans to open two new locations this year in Georgia, including one at Lee + White and one in the Athens area at Wire Park, according to its website.
Terminal South is a commercial project that is being developed by Stafford Properties. It will feature a food hall called the Switchman Hall that will accommodate 18 food stalls, with sizes up to 730 square feet. The Original Hot Dog Factory is among a number of eateries that have recently signed leases for spaces at the project including Perfect Seasoning and Southern Grace.
Joia Evans told What Now Atlanta that Terminal South developers are supposed to finish building the food hall around November. Her team will then begin restaurant construction, hoping to open in the spring of 2024.
Evans said that she and her husband chose Terminal South for their upcoming hot dog spot because they wanted to be closer to the Peoplestown community, which she believes have impacted by gentrification.
“The location just really spoke to my husband and I. He was born and raised in Atlanta and has a sister that lives in Peoplestown, and gentrification is a huge thing for everyone in [that they’re] trying to figure out how it makes them feel…it’s happening everywhere, regardless of how we feel about it. So how much can we give back to that community that is potentially losing what they’ve always known,” she said.
The Original Hot Dog Factory’s menu will feature 26 different types of hot dogs, including a bacon-wrapped Angus beef hot dog topped with chili cheese fries and grilled onions. Baked beans, onion rings, and milkshakes are among other items included on the menu.
The Original Hot Dog Factory currently has burgers on its menu, but it will not bring those beef patties to the new location to avoid competing with other burger concepts at the Switchman Hall. However, Evans said that she and her team are working on bringing something “exciting” and “creative” as she introduces an entirely new concept.
This article has been updated to include comments from The Original Hot Dog Factory’s co-owner Joia Evans.
