The former owner of Jefferson’s in Jacksonville has responded to comments recently made by Centre City Councilman Derrick Wheeler after hearing the audio of the most recent meeting of the Centre City Council posted on our news website.

In a letter to WEIS Radio News – Piedmont resident and the former owner of the original Jefferson’s in Jacksonville and current owner of the franchise in Cedartown, Georgia, William Barnwell said that he and his wife have been looking at opening a Jefferson’s in Centre for several years but have been unable to find a suitable location.

According to Barnwell, he has checked with the Jefferson’s Franchise Management and they are still actively seeking a Franchisee for Centre.

Barnwell also said that he has spoken with an individual business owner in Centre who is also looking into opening a Jefferson’s in Centre but he has likewise not been able to find a suitable location – that individual said that the only thing that has stopped him to this point is not being able to find a suitable lease or purchase agreement.

Barnwell said that these are the only reasons why Jefferson’s has not already opened in Centre.

In fact, Barnwell said that anyone interested in becoming a Jefferson’s Franchisee can contact them by visiting their website at www.jeffersonsrestaurant.com