One of western Kentucky’s iconic eateries has been sold with the new owner not promising any major changes.
Ferrell’s has been sold by Phillip and Carolyn Ferrell to Madisonville resident Ches Hill, who will be making his maiden voyage into the foodservice industry.
Hill told the News Edge the Ferrells were ready to travel and have more free time which made the timing of the sale right for both parties.
He said his grandparents were good friends with the Ferrell family and that he understands what the name Ferrells means for hamburgers and food for people in western Kentucky. Hill said he still picks Phillip’s brain since taking ownership two weeks ago and when he has questions about the industry.
The first Ferrell’s opened in Owensboro in 1929. The location in downtown Hopkinsville opened in 1936 and remains the longest-serving business in the downtown district.
Ferrell’s opened its Madisonville location in the late 1940s. At one time, Ferrell’s had locations in Bowling Green, Henderson, and Clarksville, Tennessee. The Henderson location closed in 1995.
The newest location is the one in Cadiz, which opened in 1976.
Ferrell’s changed ownership in 2016, but Phillip and Carolyn resumed ownership in 2019.
Since COVID-19 affected the operation of restaurants nationwide, the Hopkinsville, Madisonville, and Cadiz locations stopped with 24 hours service and began operating on a limited schedule.
Hill said he hopes all three locations will at some point return to a 24-hour schedule but that depends on how long the pandemic and manpower shortage stick around.
