J. Alexander’s Restaurant

J. Alexander's is an upscale casual dining restaurant that has built a steady presence in the American market since its founding in 1991 in Nashville, Tennessee. The brand specializes in wood-fired cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails, offering a full-service dining experience centered on contemporary American fare including salads, burgers, tacos, steaks, and seafood. Each location combines a sophisticated design aesthetic with a strong bar program, positioning the concept as suitable for both business dining and special occasions.

As of November 2025, J. Alexander's operates 44 locations across the United States, primarily concentrated in upscale suburban and urban markets. The company traces its corporate roots to Volunteer Capital Corporation, established in 1971, which eventually transitioned into restaurant operations under the J. Alexander's brand. This longevity reflects the operator's stability and operational consistency across its portfolio.

The company is actively pursuing geographic expansion, with a confirmed entry into the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. A new location is scheduled to open in summer 2026 at the Gates of Prosper shopping center in Prosper, Texas, marking the brand's expansion into the DFW market. This move aligns with the company's broader strategy of targeting affluent suburban communities and metropolitan areas with established dining demand and strong demographic profiles.

For landlords and developers, J. Alexander's represents a credible tenant prospect in the casual-upscale dining segment. The brand demonstrates clear site selection expertise in high-traffic shopping centers and mixed-use developments, with a track record of maintaining operational consistency across its portfolio. The company operates a single primary concept, which simplifies real estate requirements and operational execution. Its focus on destination dining rather than convenience service positions it as an anchor-caliber tenant capable of driving traffic and supporting complementary retail in well-positioned shopping centers.