A new Honey Baked Ham franchise is planning to open in Owensboro later this year, bringing a mix of holiday staples, lunch offerings, and catering options to the busy KY 54 corridor.
Franchisees Jayson Henderson and his wife, Kristen Henderson, said they are working to finalize a lease and begin construction soon at 2928 Heartland Crossing, with a target opening date of late September.
“We’re a franchisee, and Owensboro will be our second store after opening in Somerset in 2023,” Jayson Henderson said, adding that the move represents a step into a larger market. “We’re coming from a smaller market, so we expect Owensboro to respond in a really big way.”
The restaurant is expected to be located in the Heartland Crossing development along KY 54, occupying two units in a strip center between Hotworx, Klutch Barber Shop, and Red Wing, according to developer John Iracane.
“We’re super excited to have them,” Iracane said. “With a full strip center, everybody can be successful together. The businesses feed off one another.”
Henderson said while the brand is widely known for its signature spiral-sliced ham, the menu extends well beyond holiday meals and includes options designed for year-round dining.
“Of course, we’ve got the spiral hams. Everything is pre-cooked, sliced, and ready to eat — you don’t even have to heat it,” Henderson said. “But a lot of people don’t realize we also offer turkeys and a full lunch menu with sandwiches, salads, and sides.”
He said the store will feature about a dozen sandwich options along with prepared items such as chicken salad, ham salad, and potato salad, as well as heat-and-serve meals.
“We have a take-and-bake slider meal that comes with 12 sliders already prepared,” Henderson said. “You just put it in the oven for 20 minutes, and it’s ready to eat.”
The Owensboro location is expected to include seating for approximately 20 to 25 customers and operate primarily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the possibility of Sunday hours.
Henderson said the business sees a significant surge during the holiday season, particularly in November and December, which drives staffing needs.
“Our bread and butter is November and December,” Henderson said. “In the off-season, we’ll probably have four to five employees, but during the peak season, that could jump to 20 to 25.”
In addition to the storefront, the Hendersons plan to introduce a unique mobile element to the community with a Honey Baked Ham food trailer — something Henderson said is one-of-a-kind within the franchise.
“We do have the only Honey Baked food trailer in the country,” Henderson said, noting they hope to have it in Owensboro ahead of the store’s opening. “Our biggest thing is getting the word out that we’re coming.”
The trailer could make appearances at local events, including a potential pre-opening presence at the Owensboro Air Show.
Iracane said the addition of Honey Baked Ham will diversify offerings within Heartland Crossing and continue to draw traffic to the area.
“I think this will be a nice addition for everyone,” Iracane said. “They do a lot around the holidays — Easter and Christmas — and that helps keep the shopping center busy and active.”
If timelines hold, the Owensboro location is expected to open around Sept. 22 or 23, positioning the business just ahead of its busiest season.
