The Champy’s concept started simply with a childhood friendship. Todd Putnam and Seth Champion grew up together in Indianola, Mississippi. Champion’s family has owned several chicken restaurant franchises and Seth and Todd were always part of the labor force. Champion started Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken and opened his flagship restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee in June of 2009. When Todd and Erin Putnam visited Seth’s restaurant they were living in Memphis. Shortly after that, Todd’s was relocated to Mobile, Alabama with his job. The couple was familiar with the area after many years of beach vacationing and opted to reside on the Eastern Shore. After weighing all the options Todd and Erin decided that they wanted to open a Champy’s on the Eastern Shore. With tremendous support and guidance from Todd’s childhood pal, the Putnam’s opened the second Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken in Daphne on May 1st of 2011. Erin and Todd are fortunate to have a dedicated team that makes everything flow smoothly. Jennifer Malone is a Daphne native who has worked for the Putnams for the past three years. She was promoted to manager a year ago.
When you place your order be prepared for a little wait. The chicken is fried fresh with every order. Champy’s chicken is marinated down to the bone for 24 hours in an old family recipe of secret ingredients. All of their menu offerings are made fresh daily. Chicken plates include baked beans, slaw and white bread. A variety of combinations are available; two or three piece, white or dark meat, wings or tenders. Their chicken is also available fried, buffalo style or grilled; in a salad or as a wrap. Family packs, snacks and individual pieces of chicken are also available.
Besides chicken, one of their more popular menu items is the Mississippi Delta style homemade hot tamale.  They boast of a thin layer of masa with a thick layer of beef, wrapped in corn husks and boiled in a signature sauce. The tamales are classified as “starters” along with fried pickle spears, fried jalapenos, and a smoked sausage, cheese & pickle plate. If you aren’t in the mood for chicken, local farm raised catfish is also on the menu. This blues music themed, family friendly eatery has indoor and outdoor seating. They offer a full bar  and host live trivia on Thursday evenings. If you are planning an event, Champy’s also offers catering services. Champy’s opens daily at 11am. Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken, 27080 Highway 98, Daphne (251) 621-1666 • Facebook “Champy’s Famous Fried Chicken Daphne” •  www. champyschicken.com