About Jerry Allen’s
Jerry Allen’s is a Wrightsville Beach staple known for great food, strong drinks, and a true local bar experience.
The story began in 1989 at Katy’s Bar and Grill, where Jerry got his start working under the original owner, Katy. That’s where he learned the foundations of hospitality, taking care of people, building relationships, and creating a place where locals feel at home.
In 1995, Katy introduced Jerry to the Crest building in Wrightsville Beach. What started as an opportunity became the foundation of the Jerry Allen’s brand, growing into one of the most recognizable bar and grill destinations on the North Carolina coast.
Kelly Baucom’s story started long before he became a partner. At just 18, he began working under Jerry, learning the business from the ground up and becoming a key part of the operation. In 2006, that turned into a formal partnership, and by 2013, Jerry and Kelly purchased Katy’s Bar and Grill, bringing the story full circle.
In 2025, Jerry’s son, Cole Lachman, stepped in to carry the legacy forward, launching a catering division and continuing to grow the Jerry Allen’s Wing Wagon across the area.
Today, Jerry Allen’s has grown into a coastal hospitality brand with a strong presence across Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach, from Jerry Allen’s on the beach to Katy’s Bar and Grill in midtown, and the Wing Wagon bringing the food on the road.
From a local bar to a growing coastal hospitality brand, Jerry Allen’s is still about what it’s always been, good food, cold drinks, and a place where people feel like they belong.
