MEMPHIS — Louis Martin III, owner of Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken, received the first Small Business Legacy Award from the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) for Memphis and Shelby County on June 25, 2025. The award was presented during the Fourth Annual Small Business Expo held at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis.

Martin said his culinary education came from his mother. "People ask me where I went to culinary school. I tell them I went to the Mary Martin School of Fine Culinary Arts — my mom's kitchen," Martin said. "I talk to anybody. Whatever little knowledge I have, I don't mind sharing."

Uncle Lou's Fried Chicken previously operated at another site for 20 years. In 2025, the restaurant relocated to 1725 Winchester Road, moving into a former Wendy's building. Martin appeared on The Food Network.

Martin said he is exploring options for licensing or franchising his restaurant. He noted the faster pace of current customer habits, stating, "With DoorDash and Uber and online ordering, people are in a hurry." Despite these new opportunities, Martin affirmed the continued importance of the original location. "The mothership — the mainstay, the one that put us on the map — we've got a nice dining room. We're never going to get rid of that one," he said.

The expo also featured the debut of Culture Corner, an area designated for artists, crafters, and creative entrepreneurs. Joann Massey, president and CEO of EDGE, addressed attendees at the event. "The purpose of this is not just to showcase the businesses, but to bring you all together here so that we can continue to uplift Memphis. Because guess what? Nobody's coming to save us. It's up to us to do what we need to do for our community," Massey stated.