Jonathan Jenkins and Ashley King named Restaurant Manager of the Year and Restaurant General Manager of the Year at 2026 TnHTA Stars of the Industry Awards

JACKSON, Tennessee — The Old Country Store at Casey Jones Village took home two of the most competitive honors in Tennessee hospitality last night, as the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association (TnHTA) named Jonathan Jenkins its Restaurant Manager of the Year (Independent) and Ashley King its Restaurant General Manager of the Year (Independent) at the 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards, held September 17 in Gatlinburg.

The Stars of the Industry Awards are the highest honor TnHTA bestows, recognizing both the best individuals and organizations across Tennessee’s hotels, restaurants, tourism attractions, and destination marketing organizations each year. 

Jenkins, Executive Culinary Manager, represents the second of three generations of his family to work in the Old Country Store kitchen, a legacy that has shaped the restaurant’s Southern cooking traditions for decades. King, General Manager, leads day to day operations at the restaurant, which has served Guests at Casey Jones Village since 1965.

“The awards may say Jonathan and Ashley, but they also belong to every Team Member who shows up every day to take care of our Guests,” said Brooks Shaw, third generation President and owner of the Old Country Store and Casey Jones Village. “Jonathan and Ashley lead with heart, and this recognition from TnHTA reflects the standard they hold our entire team to.”

The awards also recognized excellence from around the region, with West Tennessee well represented among this year’s honorees, including Discovery Park of America in Union City, Discover Reelfoot, and Huey’s Restaurants in Memphis.

The Old Country Store, founded in 1965, is a family owned Southern restaurant and tourism destination located at the intersection of I-40 and Highway 45 Bypass in Jackson, Tennessee. It is part of Casey Jones Village, a Southern hospitality and entertainment destination.

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