As a long-time fan of Chicken Express’s delicious fried chicken and comforting sides, I was curious to learn more about who actually owns this iconic Southern fast food chain. Chicken Express has grown from humble beginnings in Texas to become a regional powerhouse across several states, which makes understanding its ownership structure quite interesting. In this article, I’ll walk through what I discovered about the past, present, and future stewards of the Chicken Express brand.
The Founding Family Sets the Stage
The Chicken Express origin story begins in 1988 when entrepreneur Richard Stuart opened the first location in Benbrook Texas. Along with his wife Nancy Stuart aimed to create a fast food restaurant focusing on high quality ingredients, speedy service, and good old Southern charm.
Richard and Nancy Stuart, as the founders of Chicken Express, were the original owners. Even after Richard’s passing, ownership remained in the Stuart family. Today, the company is privately owned by the children of Richard and Nancy Stuart. While specific percentages aren’t public, it’s clear the Stuart family maintains active involvement in managing and shaping Chicken Express’s strategic vision.
This continuity of family ownership explains why Chicken Express has stayed so true to its roots over decades, still committed to the original values of quality food and hospitality.
Steady Growth Through Franchising
From its Texas roots, Chicken Express slowly spread across the country in the years after it opened, mostly through franchising.
The Stuart family used franchising to help the business grow. This let individual owners buy into the brand, while Chicken Express handled marketing and operational standards. This made it possible for new franchisees to run their own businesses with the support of a well-known brand name like Chicken Express.
Today, Chicken Express has more than 200 locations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Georgia. To grow smartly, the company continues to use a franchise-focused model. The Stuart family is in charge of these efforts, balancing their unwavering dedication to quality with exciting growth opportunities.
What Does the Future Hold?
Looking ahead, Chicken Express seems poised for success under the Stuart family’s leadership. They are focused on strengthening existing markets while also considering new regions for selective franchise-driven expansion.
The Stuart family has also shown a willingness to evolve, whether it’s experimenting with new menu items, enhancing the digital customer experience, or offering updated ordering and delivery options. However, they understand that Chicken Express always needs to stay true to its core identity – quality food, friendly service, and Southern charm.
As competition in the fast food industry increases, the Stuart family’s close involvement gives Chicken Express an advantage. Their hands-on approach ensures the brand stays committed to Richard Stuart’s original vision while also adapting to satisfy today’s customers. For those like me who love Chicken Express, it’s great to see a founding family so dedicated to its legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ownership
To wrap up, here are answers to some other common questions people have about the ownership behind Chicken Express:
Is Chicken Express a publicly traded company?
No, Chicken Express remains privately owned by the Stuart family. You can’t purchase Chicken Express stock.
Who is the CEO?
There is no official CEO title, but strategic decisions are made collaboratively by Stuart family members.
How many locations does Chicken Express have?
Chicken Express has over 200 locations, mostly across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Georgia.
Can I buy a Chicken Express franchise?
Yes, Chicken Express offers franchising opportunities but requires a significant investment. The company website has more details.
Does Chicken Express offer online ordering or delivery?
Some locations offer online ordering and delivery via partners like DoorDash. Check with your local Chicken Express.
How involved is the Stuart family in daily operations?
The Stuart family maintains close involvement in quality control, menu planning, and other decisions, ensuring brand standards.
Is Chicken Express expanding to more states?
Chicken Express is open to strategic franchise growth to new regions, but the focus is on strengthening existing markets currently.
Understanding the ownership structure behind Chicken Express provides helpful context on this beloved brand. The Stuart family’s close involvement sets up Chicken Express for continued success! Their personal commitment gives this regional chain a unique advantage as they uphold the original values while also evolving for the future.
Franchisee Benefits
Chicken Express franchisees receive many benefits from the franchisor, including the following:
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Site Selection Assistance - Store Plan Specifications and Access to Proven and Approved Vendors
- Grand Opening Support
- Initial Management and Staff Training
- Ongoing Operational Support
- Volume Purchasing Pricing for Food and Packaging
- Use of Chicken Express Logo, Brand and Unique Recipes
The first Chicken Express franchise store was opened in 1990
Since then, more than 200 locations have opened up across the southwest United States. Most locations are in Texas, but we also have stores in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Chicken Express believes that an important element to its franchise system is the owner/operator philosophy. When an operator of a restaurant is also the owner, he tends to pay particular attention to all of the details required for serving high-quality food, with wonderful customer service at reasonable prices. Chicken Express seeks the finest, hardest-working individuals to open new franchise locations across the southwest.
We welcome interested franchise candidates to complete and submit our contact form. Each application will be thoroughly reviewed and considered.