Today we’d like to introduce you to Rankin & Taylor Clinton
Hi Rankin & Taylor, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our journey to Wabash Southern Kitchen has been shaped by a mix of family traditions, personal experiences, and a love for Southern food. Growing up in Franklin, Tennessee, we were surrounded by the rich flavors of the South. Our mother emphasized the importance of family meals, instilling in us a deep appreciation for the connection that comes from breaking bread together. Those lessons stuck with us and became the foundation of what we wanted to create.
Taylor has been in the restaurant industry for over 20 years, starting out by washing dishes, working his way up as a line cook, kitchen manager, store manager, sous chef and eventually overseeing eight restaurants as a District Manager for Focus Brands. In that role, his restaurants consistently performed among the best in their group. Taylor is all about execution and operational efficiency, but he never sacrifices the quality of the food we serve to our customers.
Rankin brings a unique background to Wabash Southern Kitchen. He’s a West Point graduate and served as an Army engineer officer, including leading a platoon in Afghanistan. After leaving the Army as a Captain, Rankin joined a fortune 500 company, where he’s spent the last decade in roles ranging from mergers & acquisitions to marketing while getting his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Wabash Southern Kitchen came to life as a true family effort. Every detail, from the floors to the counters, reflects the hard work and love of our family. We wanted to create a space that felt like home—a place where people could enjoy the authentic flavors of Southern cooking while making their own memories. It’s been a challenging but rewarding road, and we’re proud to see Wabash become part of the Nolensville community.
Our story is rooted in family, tradition, and a desire to share the joy of Southern food. We’ve learned so much along the way and are excited to keep growing while staying true to our values.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting any business comes with its share of hurdles, and Wabash Southern Kitchen has been no exception. One of our biggest challenges was renovating the space ourselves. Wabash is truly a labor of love, with every member of our family contributing. From recovering chairs and benches to installing floors and building counters, we worked hard to balance our vision with the realities of budget constraints and tight timelines. There were plenty of late nights and long weekends, but seeing it all come together as a space that feels like home made it worth every effort.
Another hurdle was finding the right balance between honoring the traditional Southern flavors we grew up with and modernizing the experience to fit today’s fast-paced lifestyles. We wanted to offer authentic comfort food quickly and affordably, which meant refining our menu and streamlining processes to ensure that every dish delivered both quality and consistency.
Finally, opening in a competitive market like Nolensville brought its own set of challenges. Standing out among established Southern restaurants pushed us to double down on what we value most: serving great food, creating a welcoming atmosphere, and building genuine connections with our community. Overcoming these obstacles has been a journey of learning, adapting, and leaning on each other’s strengths—and we’re proud of how far we’ve come.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Wabash Southern Kitchen?
At Wabash Southern Kitchen, we’re blending the nostalgia of traditional meat-and-three restaurants with a fast-casual experience that fits today’s busy lifestyle. What sets us apart is our commitment to providing great value at a price point that works for everyone, without sacrificing flavor or variety. Whether you’re craving hearty Southern staples or something lighter, we have options for every preference. We’ve made sure that not only can you enjoy the comfort foods you love, but you can also choose lighter dishes that won’t break the bank—or your waistline.
In the Nashville area, most Southern cuisine tends to fall into BBQ, hot chicken, or full-service dining. We wanted to offer an alternative where you can enjoy the comfort of Southern cooking without the wait or formality. Our menu honors the classics but brings a modern twist, with options that cater to both those looking for a quick bite and those who want to relax and enjoy their meal.
Beyond the food, my brother and I take great pride in being part of this community. We love meeting our guests, hearing their stories, and watching Wabash become a gathering place for families and friends. It’s about more than just serving food – it’s about fostering a sense of connection.
Wabash Southern Kitchen is more than just a restaurant—it’s an ode to Southern tradition, family, and community. What makes Wabash stand out is our ability to combine nostalgia with modern efficiency.
We want people to know that our ‘modern meat-and-three’ keeps the classic charm but adds a fresh twist. We offer the hearty, traditional dishes people love, like fried chicken and collard greens, alongside lighter fare such as wraps, salads, and soups. Our fast-casual approach means families can enjoy the comfort of a meat-and-three without the wait or formality of a full-service restaurant.
By blending nostalgia with modern convenience, we’ve created a space where tradition meets today’s needs—delivering authentic Southern food in a way that fits everyone’s lifestyle.
Our brand is deeply personal and reflects our family’s story and values. Every detail of Wabash has a connection to our roots. From the handmade counters and floors installed by our dad and brother to the chairs reupholstered by our mom and grandmother, the restaurant is a labor of love and a testament to what family can achieve together. Even the name “Wabash” pays homage to our childhood memories of Opryland and the iconic Wabash Cannonball ride, connecting the spirit of nostalgia with the warmth and joy of Southern cooking.
We are also incredibly proud to be a local employer for so many of Nolensville’s own. It’s an honor to be a first job for many high school students, teaching them valuable skills and lessons they’ll carry with them forever. We’ve worked hard to create a team culture where everyone shares responsibilities—whether it’s greeting guests or washing dishes, every team member plays an important role in making Wabash what it is.
We’re most proud of our ability to create a space that feels like home—for our family and our guests. Our mission is to preserve the essence of Southern hospitality while meeting the needs of today’s busy families. The heart of Wabash is about fostering connection, where people can gather, share a meal, and make memories.
We recently expanded our menu to include weekend brunch, featuring dishes like honey butter chicken biscuits and our play on chicken and waffles—Hot Chicken & Beignets—alongside mimosas. Our long-term vision includes opening additional locations across Middle Tennessee, staying true to our mission of providing high-quality, affordable Southern dining that fits everyone’s lifestyle.
At Wabash Southern Kitchen, every meal tells a story, and every guest is part of our extended family. That’s the essence of who we are and what we’re here to do.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What we love most about Nolensville is the sense of community. It’s a town where people genuinely care about each other, and you can feel that connection in every interaction. There’s something special about seeing familiar faces, whether it’s neighbors supporting local businesses, families gathering for meals, or friends catching up over coffee. Nolensville has managed to preserve that small-town charm and authenticity, even as it grows, and that’s a big part of why we wanted to build Wabash Southern Kitchen here. The town’s rich history and strong values align perfectly with our vision of creating a place where people can gather, share stories, and make memories.
As for what we like least, it’s probably the growing pains that come with development. While it’s exciting to see Nolensville thrive and attract new families and businesses, it can be challenging to keep up with the changes while maintaining the character that makes this place so special. There’s a delicate balance between growth and preserving the unique qualities that make Nolensville feel like home. We hope that as the city continues to evolve, we can play a part in helping it grow thoughtfully and stay true to its roots.
Pricing:
- Brunch Saturday & Sunday! 9am-2pm
- Hours 11am-9pm M-F, Saturday-Sunday 9am-9pm
- Best Prices in Town!
- We Serve Wine & Beer
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wabashsouthernkitchen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wabashsouthernkitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Wabash-Southern-Kitchen-100089358135213/
