Louisville launches Dixie Highway restaurant incentive grants, naming four early recipients and South End fund details

Four restaurants selected for first Dixie Highway incentive awards

Louisville Metro Government and the Louisville Economic Development Alliance have announced the first restaurant projects approved for grants intended to expand dining options along the Dixie Highway corridor in south Louisville. The awards are part of a restaurant-recruitment incentive program created to draw new operators into commercial spaces and encourage reinvestment in the corridor.

The initial grant recipients are LongHorn Steakhouse, Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, Crumbl Cookies, and Derby City Pizza. The projects include three new locations planned on Dixie Highway and an expansion of an existing south Louisville business.

Where the new locations are planned

City and economic development officials identified the following addresses tied to the first round of restaurant projects:

• LongHorn Steakhouse: 7401 Dixie Hwy.
• Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: 8700 Dixie Hwy.
• Crumbl Cookies: 10970 Dixie Hwy.
• Derby City Pizza: expansion at 12900 Dixie Hwy, including plans for an event center and game yard.

The city has described the initiative as a way to increase available dining choices, activate underused commercial properties, and support job creation associated with buildouts and new operations.

How the incentive program is structured

The restaurant grants are funded through a dedicated $1 million Dixie Highway Restaurant Incentive Fund. Louisville officials launched the incentive in September 2025 as one piece of a broader South End Loan and Incentive Fund approved for south Louisville business growth and corridor improvements.

Program guidelines outline different eligibility thresholds for table-service restaurants and fast-casual concepts based on the size of the leased or owned space. Eligible uses include interior buildout costs and certain building improvements such as accessibility upgrades and façade work. The program also requires participating restaurants to meet financial thresholds and commit to a multi-year lease, with provisions designed to recover incentives if a business exits early.

South End funding beyond restaurant recruitment

The South End Loan and Incentive Fund is divided into three $1 million components: restaurant recruitment incentives for Dixie Highway, loans and grants administered through the Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) to support expansions and building improvements, and a reserve allocation intended for future opportunities.

In addition to the restaurant announcements, officials said five local businesses were awarded $10,000 “South Points” grants for expansion and building improvements, and two businesses were approved for a combined $545,000 in METCO loans from a pool reserved for south Louisville projects. The city has also stated that funding remains available for additional qualified applicants, with awards generally handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

The city has framed the Dixie Highway incentives as a corridor revitalization tool—aimed at reducing vacancy, increasing foot traffic, and attracting additional private investment in south Louisville.

Timing for openings and construction milestones for the four restaurant projects has not been provided in the city’s announcement.