Walker Hayes is getting ready to pursue another exciting endeavor.
In addition to his successful music career, and writing a book with his good friend Craig Allen Cooper, the “Y’all Life” singer is in talks to potentially open a “Fancy Like” Applebee’s in Nashville. Hayes shared more about his potential endeavor during a recent interview (July 18) with Gunner and Cheyenne on their show Gunner and Cheyenne On Demand.
“There’s talk of us for real opening [an Applebee’s restaurant] down on Broadway in Nashville. Like a ‘Fancy Like’ Applebee’s, so, all this stuff that comes from the music like driving a Bronco and the restaurants and all the extra stuff, I wish that y’all could understand how hilarious it is that I’m getting to experience those things because I’m sure I was voted most-likely to not succeed, like it is hilarious that I get to drive these awesome cars, and make these videos with these awesome people and I don’t know man it’s just crazy. The world obviously just needs music right now. It’s a good time to be a country musician,” Hayes said.
Hayes, who is a fan of the popular restaurant and name checks it in his song, “Fancy Like,” explained how he “got a little slap on the wrist” over the musical reference in his smash track.
“I got a little slap on the wrist from Applebee’s, I mean, I love Applebee’s and they are my No. 1 restaurant, but we snuck in Olive Garden on this song cause that’s where we went for prom night. We didn’t go to Applebee’s, we went to Olive Garden, I don’t know it just seemed a little fancier. Applebee’s is ‘Fancy Like.’ Olive Garden is fancy and so yeah, there’s a line in the song that says ‘taking our white limousines to the Olive Garden on prom night’ and Applebee’s were like ‘dude, they’re our competitor and I was like ‘man, I’m not in the restaurant business, I just tell the truth,’” he shared.
When asked by Gunner and Cheyenne if the Olive Garden reference prompted Applebee’s to cut off his gold card, Hayes laughed and said, “oh yeah, they haven’t locked it down. They’re kind.”
Hayes recently celebrated his 18-year wedding anniversary with his wife Laney at Applebee’s, sharing shortly thereafter that he was awarded the restaurant’s gold card, which will allow him to eat free at any Applebee’s at any time for the rest of his life.
“I never used to care if I lost my wallet. But now I worry because the Gold Card is in it,” Hayes admitted upon receiving his gold card.
In addition, Hayes recently met a “Fancy Like” super fan named Matt and invited him to eat at Applebee’s the next time he’s in town.
While Hayes continues to work on his latest endeavor, he can take pride in the fact that “Fancy Like” was featured in a 2021 Applebee’s commercial, which gave the restaurant’s brand a major boost.
Additionally, Hayes recently shared his new single “Y’all Life,” which was most-added at Country radio upon impact with 76 first week adds.