In 1971, Charley Watkins opened the original O'Charley's restaurant across from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. With a menu made up of a handful of his wife's popular recipes and the belief that "Everyone who walks through this door is a friend of mine", Charley had the ingredients to create something special. That's because in addition to great food, Charley wanted to provide atmosphere. A place that welcomed guests with a warm familiarity every time they walked in. A place where rolls were unsliceably soft, and served for free as a gesture of hospitality. This was the foundation upon which our restaurants were built.