Collierville is getting a shot of Sichuan heat on Poplar. Little Petals Chinese, the fast-casual takeout offshoot of Michelin-recognized Petals of a Peony, is preparing to open a storefront at 890 W Poplar Avenue. The spot is being built out for quick pickup and drive-thru service, and the owners say the new location should be ready in roughly a month.
According to What Now Memphis, the Collierville site was announced in a Facebook post, and the restaurant’s website lists the new storefront as “on deck” to open in about a month. The outlet also notes that Little Petals is hiring for two positions at the Poplar Avenue shop, a sign that construction and setup are well underway. What Now Memphis credits the Petals of a Peony Facebook page and the restaurant website for those details.
Little Petals Brings Drive-Thru Sichuan Flavors
Little Petals is the streamlined sibling to Petals of a Peony, trimming the menu to American-Chinese favorites while still hanging on to a few Sichuan specials, the owners say. The Daily Memphian has reported that the group is rolling out drive-thru and to-go outposts, including previously announced plans for Madison and Poplar Avenue locations, in an effort to get the brand’s flavors to more diners without the full sit-down experience. General manager Cameron Hidayat told the paper that Little Petals locations are meant to offer faster options for guests who are farther away from the full-service restaurants.
From Chengdu Roots To Michelin Recognition
According to the MICHELIN Guide, Petals of a Peony earned a spot in the guide’s inaugural American South selection, giving Little Petals a notable pedigree to lean on. Local tourism coverage and the restaurant’s own materials highlight the team’s Sichuan roots, noting that the chef and founding cooks trained in Chengdu before bringing those techniques to Memphis. That focus on authenticity is the thread Little Petals plans to carry through to the new Collierville drive-thru.
Timing, Jobs And What To Order
Menus at existing Little Petals locations mix American-Chinese staples like General Tso’s chicken, lo mein, and orange chicken with Sichuan dishes such as mapo tofu and spicy dumplings, giving the upcoming Collierville shop room to cater to both comfort-seekers and spice chasers. DoorDash hosts the Little Petals menu and offers a preview of the lineup.
The exact opening date for the Collierville location has not yet been announced and will come directly from the restaurant. For now, the existing announcement and hiring posts suggest the Poplar Avenue drive-thru is only weeks away. What Now Memphis reports that the operator is currently recruiting staff and plans to release a firm opening date once the finish line is in sight.
