CIM Group Welcomes Atlanta Icon The Busy Bee to Centennial Yards
CIM Group has announced that The Busy Bee, one of Atlanta’s most beloved and historically significant restaurants, has signed a lease for a new 2,985-square-foot location at The Mitchell, a residential tower within Centennial Yards. The new outpost will be part of the $5 billion, 50-acre mixed-use redevelopment that is reshaping Downtown Atlanta into a vibrant, walkable, and culturally rich urban district.
This announcement represents more than a new restaurant opening—it marks the expansion of a legacy brand into one of the most ambitious city-center redevelopment projects in the United States, while reinforcing Centennial Yards’ commitment to honoring Atlanta’s heritage.
A Legacy Nearly Eight Decades in the Making
Founded in 1947, The Busy Bee has been a cornerstone of Atlanta’s culinary and cultural identity for almost 80 years. Rooted in the city’s Westside and Vine City neighborhoods along the Martin Luther King Jr. corridor, the restaurant has long been celebrated for its from-scratch Southern cooking, warm hospitality, and unwavering consistency.
Best known for its award-winning fried chicken, The Busy Bee has earned national acclaim, including the James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics Award in 2022 and MICHELIN Bib Gourmand recognition in 2023, 2024, and 2025. These honors underscore the restaurant’s rare ability to preserve tradition while remaining relevant to new generations of diners.
Centennial Yards: Atlanta’s Next Great Neighborhood
Centennial Yards is one of the largest and most transformative redevelopment projects underway in the country. Located on the very site where Atlanta was founded, the 50-acre district is being reimagined into a dynamic, mixed-use destination featuring 8 million square feet of new development across several city blocks.
Once complete, Centennial Yards will include 1,800 hotel rooms, 2,000 residential units, and more than 2 million square feet of office and retail space, all supported by a thoughtfully designed public realm of open-air plazas, pedestrian-friendly streets, and community gathering spaces. The project is led by Centennial Yards Company, which was created by CIM Group to serve as the owner and master developer of the district.
The Mitchell: A New Home for The Busy Bee
The Busy Bee’s new location will open at The Mitchell, Centennial Yards’ first ground-up residential building. The tower includes 304 homes and 16,000 square feet of retail space, joining The Lofts at Centennial Yards South as part of the district’s growing residential offerings.
At The Mitchell, The Busy Bee will debut a quick-service format designed to serve residents, office workers, visitors, and event-day crowds. Situated directly across from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the location will cater to high-traffic days while also serving as a destination for casual dining and neighborhood meetups.
The menu will highlight the restaurant’s signature offerings, including its famous fried chicken, classic Southern sides, and traditional desserts. Indoor and outdoor seating will provide flexibility for guests before and after major events, as well as for everyday dining.
A First in Busy Bee History: Introducing a Bar Program
For the first time in its nearly eight-decade history, The Busy Bee will introduce a bar program, offering beer, wine, and cocktails. This new addition reflects an evolution of the brand while remaining true to its roots.
Tracy Gates, owner of The Busy Bee, has carried forward her family’s legacy since joining her father in the business in 1987. She emphasized that the Centennial Yards location allows the restaurant to grow thoughtfully without compromising its values.
The new concept will continue to focus on slow-cooked, scratch-made dishes, seasonal ingredients, and long-standing relationships with trusted farmers—ensuring the same flavors and quality that generations of Atlantans have come to expect.
Anchoring Authenticity in a Global Destination
CIM Group and Centennial Yards leadership view The Busy Bee as a cultural anchor that reinforces the project’s connection to Atlanta’s identity.
By blending globally recognized entertainment venues with deeply local culinary institutions, Centennial Yards aims to create a district that feels both internationally appealing and unmistakably Atlanta. The inclusion of a legacy restaurant like The Busy Bee reflects this vision—one where history, community, and innovation coexist.
Growing Momentum at Centennial Yards
The Busy Bee joins a growing lineup of residential, hospitality, dining, and entertainment offerings already open or planned at Centennial Yards. Existing developments include The Lofts at Centennial Yards South, a 162-unit residential community, and the 292-key Hotel Phoenix, which opened on December 1.
Additional openings are on the horizon. Khao Thai Isan, a Thai tapas concept from Atlanta-based 26 Thai, is expected to open at The Mitchell in spring 2026. Cosm’s immersive sports and entertainment venue and Shake Shack’s first downtown Atlanta location are also slated for 2026, while a 5,300-seat Live Nation venue is expected to open in 2027.
Revitalizing Downtown’s Entertainment District
Directly across from The Mitchell, Centennial Yards’ Entertainment District is transforming underutilized land into a hub of immersive venues, restaurants, retail, and hospitality. Located adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena, the district is poised to become one of the Southeast’s premier destinations for live entertainment and culinary experiences.
With major partners such as Live Nation and Cosm already announced, the addition of The Busy Bee further strengthens Centennial Yards’ role as a place where Atlanta’s past, present, and future converge.
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