My home county, Owsley, has a couple of family owned fast food businesses and one family owned country style restaurant that seats around 80. We also have a few places that sell pizza, such as the local BP station. But the county has never in its history had a national or regional restaurant franchise. No McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut, White Castle, Logan’s, Cheddars, etc. I was wondering if there’s other counties in the state that have a similar situation. 
 

I suppose our population (4500) and remote location in SE Kentucky is the reason. Owsley was created in 1843, and named for Governor William Owsley. So it’s had a long time to lure a Big Mac establishment to the area, ?. 
And by the way, we got our first ever traffic stop light about 8 years ago. So we do finally have one of those. 

Wow...that's crazy.  How about retail?  Small businesses?

Dollar General?

1 hour ago, nkypete said:

Wow...that's crazy.  How about retail?  Small businesses?

There’s not very many small businesses. The county has a Shopwise grocery store. There’s also a Family Dollar Store and a Dollar General. There’s three service stations/mini mart type businesses such as BP and Valaro. . Most of the jobs in Owsley are school system, personal care home, medical and pharmacy, county/city government, attorney offices and state and federal social service. Also some private businesses such as insurance, pawn shops a couple auto mechanic services, and a few guys with excavation equipment and trucking services. 

6 minutes ago, The Professor said:

There’s not very many small businesses. The county has a Shopwise grocery store. There’s also a Family Dollar Store and a Dollar General. There’s three service stations/mini mart type businesses such as BP and Valaro. . Most of the jobs in Owsley are school system, personal care home, medical and pharmacy, county/city government, attorney offices and state and federal social service. Also some private businesses such as insurance, pawn shops a couple auto mechanic services, and a few guys with excavation equipment and trucking services. 

How far do you have to go to eat at a standard sit down restaurant and go to a movie?

Quite a few people have to commute long distances daily in the jobs they have. Several work at Toyota in Georgetown and make that 3 hours round trip drive every day. Others work in Lexington, Winchester, Richmond, Hazard and London. Others work in hospitals in Jackson, Irvine, Winchester, Manchester and Richmond. 
We have a growing number of young men who have gone to lineman school for training and work away in other states through the week and come home on weekends. And Owsley has an excellent internet system through our local co-op, People’s Rural Telephone Cooperative (PRTC). Many are taking advantage of this by working from home for companies. 

Just now, nkypete said:

How far do you have to go to eat at a standard sit down restaurant and go to a movie?

It’s slightly over an hours drive to Hazard, Richmond or Winchester. London is about 50 minutes but that is getting ready to change next year when the new route 30 is completed from Tyner in Jackson County to Booneville. That new section will connect with the previously completed section between Tyner and London. It will shorten the drive from Booneville to London to about 30-35 minutes and I would think that will be the go-to place for dining and movies in the future. Right now most people go to Richmond or Lexington. Lexington is about an hour and 40 minute drive. 

58 minutes ago, The Professor said:

It’s slightly over an hours drive to Hazard, Richmond or Winchester. London is about 50 minutes but that is getting ready to change next year when the new route 30 is completed from Tyner in Jackson County to Booneville. That new section will connect with the previously completed section between Tyner and London. It will shorten the drive from Booneville to London to about 30-35 minutes and I would think that will be the go-to place for dining and movies in the future. Right now most people go to Richmond or Lexington. Lexington is about an hour and 40 minute drive. 

That is just a bit too hardcore for me!  I like space and privacy and to live away from the hustle of a metropolis.  However, I want to be able to get there quickly when I wish.  I do respect those who make the choices to live in rural situations like the one you describe.

17 minutes ago, nkypete said:

That is just a bit too hardcore for me!  I like space and privacy and to live away from the hustle of a metropolis.  However, I want to be able to get there quickly when I wish.  I do respect those who make the choices to live in rural situations like the one you describe.

Yes, it’s not for everyone. I was born and have lived my entire life in Owsley with the exception of about 3 months when I lived in Bell County. However, I was fortunate that the school district  had a job opening when I graduated from college. I had applications in many other places and ended up right back in my home county. Taught 30 years and retired. Still live here. 
 

I forgot to mention we do have Sag Hollow Golf Club and it has 5 employees. The course opened in 2007. 

Answering your original question, Robertson County probably qualifies.

45 minutes ago, nkypete said:

Answering your original question, Robertson County probably qualifies.

That’s possible. Robertson ranks 120th in county population in Kentucky and Owsley ranks 119th. I suppose the county population would be a top criteria in fast food franchise location. 

What about Hickman, Carlisle, and maybe Ballard on the far western edge of Kentucky near the Mississippi River?

Hancock Co. almost makes the cut.  They have a Subway in Lewisport, but that is it as far as restaurant chains.  

I travel around a lot for my job, especially western Kentucky.  As far as I can recall Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, and Livingston Counties are the only ones on that side of the state that do not have a chain restaurant.  

7 hours ago, Irish Cat said:

I travel around a lot for my job, especially western Kentucky.  As far as I can recall Hickman, Carlisle, Ballard, and Livingston Counties are the only ones on that side of the state that do not have a chain restaurant.  

Most eastern Kentucky counties have at least one, with the exception of Owsley. Our neighbor to the north, Lee County, is slightly more populated than Owsley, I’m think around 6500, and they have a Subway  and Dairy Queen. Jackson County to our west have a Subway and Dairy Queen as well.