Chef William Dissen of the Market Place in Asheville, North Carolina, and Haymaker in Charlotte, North Carolina, brings his brand of Southern sandwiches to campuses across the state with the opening of Billy D’s Fried Chicken at Elon University this month and another planned for Wake Forest University soon.
Dissen opened the first location of Billy D’s Fried Chicken in 2018 at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro. The fast-casual eatery serves Southern-fried chicken sandwiches and iconic sides such as watermelon salad, macaroni and cheese, waffle fries, and coleslaw.
What makes Dissen’s menu different than other fast-food chicken spots is his dedication to sourcing ingredients from sustainably-operated organic farms in North Carolina. He credits this decision as the reason why he connected with dining officials at Elon, as they recognize that students want healthy, sustainable options for their meals.
Depending on the response from the campus community, Dissen will look to expand Billy D’s Fried Chicken to other universities.