Shop Penn

Penn Facilities and Real Estate Services is excited to announce the addition of Big Dean’s Hot Chicken to Franklin’s Table this Spring. The Nashville-style hot chicken destination joins Penn’s premier food hall, bringing its signature sandwiches, creative bowls, and house-made sauces to the community. This latest addition to Franklin's Table further solidifies Shop Penn's commitment to bringing an eclectic mix of high-quality dining options to University City.

“Since its opening in 2018, Franklin’s Table continues to expand its dynamic dining offerings,” explains Ed Datz, Penn’s Executive Director of Real Estate. “The addition of Big Dean’s innovative take on Nashville-style chicken adds more variety to our already diverse food offerings and ensures standout dishes for everyone in the Shop Penn community." 

What started out as a 5,000-mile road trip in pursuit of the best Nashville hot-style chicken, turned into a quest by the restaurant’s founders to create some of their own.  After a few weeks of outbound tasting and a few months of in-kitchen testing, Big Dean’s Hot Chicken was born.  The limited menu at Big Dean’s (chicken, slaw and fries) is intentional, with a sharp focus on perfecting the balance of hot, sweet, creamy and crunchy that one gets in each bite.  They will be bringing their celebrated classic and specialty chicken sandwiches along with timeless southern staples and locally sourced buns to the Franklin's Table location. The menu will also feature customizable meals (you pick the heat!) with sides like mac-n-cheese, crinkle-cut fries, and house-made coleslaw. Patrons can enjoy their selection of house-made sauces, too, including BD's Signature Sauce, Creamy Ranch, Honey Mustard, and Tennessee Sunshine BBQ.

“What we are doing here is recreating the bold, yet soulful flavors of the deep south, with its authentic ingredients, rich history and unique perspective - but through our own lens,” said Peter Howey, founder of Big Dean's Hot Chicken. “Joining Franklin's Table marks an exciting chapter for Big Dean's, and we're looking forward to serving our signature dishes to the community in University City while becoming part of this vibrant food hall."

Franklin's Table Food Hall, located at 3401 Walnut Street, has become a cornerstone of University City's dining scene since its opening. The 8,000-square-foot culinary destination brings together some of Philadelphia's most exciting food concepts under one roof, offering Penn students, faculty, staff, and neighborhood residents a diverse array of dining options in a modern, communal setting. With the addition of Big Dean's Hot Chicken, Franklin's Table continues to strengthen its position as a premier dining destination in University City.

Learn more about the restaurant at www.bigdeanshotchicken.com, and watch for more details around the opening by following @shopsatpenn and @bigdeanshotchicken on social media.

MSC Retail represented the University of Pennsylvania in the transaction.

About Big Dean's Hot Chicken
Big Dean's Hot Chicken specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken, offering a unique blend of traditional Southern flavors with modern culinary innovation. Known for their commitment to quality ingredients and house-made sauces, Big Dean's has built a loyal following through their dedication to authentic flavor profiles and consistent quality.

About SHOP PENN Retail District
Penn’s retail district offers an inspired, contemporary shopping and dining experience, open to all. Spanning ten city blocks from 30th to 40th Streets and across Spruce, Walnut, and Chestnut Streets, the district features more than 65 curated shopping, dining, and entertainment outlets immersed in the region’s most beautiful and historic university campus. The diverse collection of retail offerings—including national brands and independent shops—provides the highest quality options at every price point for the Penn community, surrounding neighborhoods, and beyond. Visit the SHOP PENN website for a full listing of retailers.