Chef William Dissen, owner of upscale farm-to-table restaurant Haymaker in Charlotte, N.C., The Market Place in Asheville, N.C., and farm-to-table quick service restaurants Billy D’s Fried Chicken, announced today the
sale of Haymaker to acclaimed Charlotte Chef Chris Coleman, co-founder of Built On Hospitality and winner of Food Network’s “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay” and “Alex vs.
America.” “Myself and the founding team at Haymaker accomplished what we set out to do five years ago – bring the freshest Southern ingredients to the forefront of Charlotte’s culinary scene in a manner that celebrates the bounty of local farmers,” said Dissen. “Reflecting on the last five years, I couldn’t be more proud of the achievements and memories we’ve created together. I’m also humbled by the more recent opportunities to become a published cookbook author, expand the Billy D’s Fried Chicken concept outside of North Carolina, and innovate our menu at The Market Place, our 45-year-old restaurant that’s a pioneer of farm-fresh dishes in downtown Asheville’s vibrant food scene.”
“Chef Coleman and the Built On Hospitality team share my philosophy for farm-to-table, food sustainability and the standard Haymaker customers have come to expect. When I set out to sell Haymaker to focus on new growth channels, my family, and our business in Asheville, Chef Chris and his partners were a natural fit,” said Dissen. Built On Hospitality’s partner Chef Chris Coleman added, “We’re excited for the opportunity to expand our hospitality portfolio with this unique restaurant brand and are
committed to seeing it thrive for years to come. Haymaker’s location is unbeatable and we have big plans to take advantage of the location by working in tandem with the exciting events going on in Center City. Expect to see our team introduce new menu
items and expanded business hours in the weeks and months ahead.” Under Built On Hospitality’s ownership, Haymaker will launch a new summer cocktail menu and select new menu items with plans to eventually launch a daily lunch service, extended hours and happy hour food specials.

Built On Hospitality was founded by industry veterans Chef Chris Coleman, Sean Potter and A.J. Klenk in 2020. The trio is dedicated to making the Carolinas a top destination for food and beverage. Each of the Built On Hospitality concepts: The Goodyear House, Old Town Kitchen and Cocktails, and now Haymaker, offer fresh and locally sourced ingredients with seasonal menus and high-quality dining experiences. Since its founding in 2018, Haymaker’s farm-focused menu has consistently been featured on best restaurant lists by Food &Wine, Southern Living, EATER, and Garden & Gun, among others. The restaurant’s social media following is also an indication of local’s love for the seasonal menus and upscale dining experience customers have
come to expect at Haymaker. In addition to maintaining the success of Haymaker and The Market Place throughout a multi-year pandemic, Dissen also opened two more Billy D’s Fried Chicken quick serve locations at Wake Forest University and Elon University, and has more in the pipeline. Chef William’s forthcoming, debut cookbook “Thoughtful Cooking” will also hit shelves in April 2024. Published by Countryman Press, the highly anticipated cookbook is composed of Dissen’s most treasured, signature recipes rooted in his ideology of the “New South.”
For more information, please visit www.haymakerclt.com and www.builtonhospitality.com.

ABOUT HAYMAKER
Haymaker is an upscale, trendy restaurant located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte. They offer seasonal menus made with heirloom ingredients, local produce and sustainable meats. The 4,000-square-foot space includes a bar and lounge, private upstairs mezzanine, patio seating and main dining room outfitted with an open kitchen and chef counter. Haymaker can accommodate more than 150 guests, with 26-foot-tall windows framing city views. The upbeat, authentic environment exudes a sense of community and can accommodate any occasion from a casual work lunch or romantic date night to any type of private event. Haymaker is open Monday through Saturday for dinner service beginning at 5 p.m. They also offer brunch service on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Haymaker is located on the bottom floor of Ascent apartments at 225 S. Poplar St. across from Romare Bearden Park.
To make a reservation, visit haymakerclt.com.

ABOUT BUILT ON HOSPITALITY
Built On Hospitality is a restaurant group based in Charlotte, N.C. founded in 2020 by three local entrepreneurs with a shared appreciation for great food, exceptional experiences and a passion for giving back to the community. Owners Chris Coleman, Sean Potter and AJ Klenk come from diverse backgrounds in the hospitality industry and are dedicated to creating unique, high-quality dining experiences that showcase local ingredients and rich flavors. Built On Hospitality creates food and beverage brands with not only great food, drinks and experiences, but with real character and soul behind them. Built On Hospitality’s portfolio currently consists of The Goodyear House (3032 N Davidson St., Charlotte, N.C. 28205), Old Town Kitchen & Cocktails (300 Technology Center Way, Suite 203, Rock Hill, S.C. 29730) and Haymaker (225 S. Poplar St., Charlotte, N.C. 28202). For more information about Built On Hospitality, visit builtonhospitality.com.

ABOUT CHEF DISSEN
William Dissen is a renowned chef and culinary diplomat, restaurateur, published author, and early pioneer of the farm-to-table and ocean sustainability movements in the Southeastern, United States Appalachian region. In addition to running restaurants, developing world-class dishes, and traveling globally as a sustainable food policy advocate, Chef Dissen regularly appears on television and in the digital media to provide education and entertainment for foodies, culinary novices and experts alike, on the most important topics in the culinary business today. Chef Dissen currently owns three high-end farm-to-table restaurant concepts: The Market Place in Asheville, N.C., Billy D’s Fried Chicken at The North Carolina Zoo, and Haymaker in uptown Charlotte, N.C. In 2021, Chef Dissen faced off and beat Celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay on National Geographic, landing Dissen the title “Most sustainable chef in the world.”

ABOUT CHEF COLEMAN
Chef Coleman is an esteemed Southern chef and co-owner of Built On Hospitality, a hospitality group based in Charlotte, N.C. that owns The Goodyear House and Old Town Kitchen &Cocktails. Prior to opening these restaurants and serving as executive chef, he had many successful runs at restaurants in Charlotte including the McNinch House, The Asbury and Charlotte Marriott City Center, where he led the team that reinvented food and beverage for Marriott international. Among his restaurant’s many accolades, Chef Coleman is proud of his appearances on the Food Network multiple times, claiming wins on the programs “Chopped,” “Beat Bobby Flay,” and “Alex vs. America.” His team at Built On Hospitality is excited to continue expanding their footprint in the Carolinas by providing their guests with great food and unique, high quality dining experiences.