These Popular Fried Chicken Chains Are Opening More Stores In 2025

In an era where food inflation has consumers in a chokehold and seemingly countless beloved restaurant chains are facing bankruptcy or closing dozens of locations, fried chicken chains are starting to rule the roost. Consumers can't seem to get enough of winner winner chicken dinners — or fried chicken sandwiches. Per forecasting data and analysis from foodservice research and consulting company, Technomic, chicken menu items and businesses are on the rise, and only due to keep on clucking strong in 2025.

Data analysis from foot traffic data platform Placer.ai shows that chicken chains enjoyed 4.3% of growth in year-over-year visits in Q3 2024. This is impressive on its own, but especially so considering other quick-service restaurants and fast-casual restaurant chains saw a decline in visits by 1.3% and 2.4%, respectively. A variety of factors play into the chicken segment's success story. Chicken is a versatile and lower-cost protein that has a perceived reputation for being at least slightly healthier than beef. And, even in it's not-so-healthy yet deliciously deep-fried form, chicken can be easily (and fairly cheaply) paired with a variety of sauces and cuisines. 

While major chicken chains like Raising Cane's, Dave's Hot Chicken, and Church's continue to lead the chicken-y charge and have more plans to expand, other popular chicken chains are also spreading their wings in 2025.

Bojangles has focused on serving up quick-service southern-style fried chicken dishes since its 1977 founding in Charlotte, North Carolina. The chain emphasizes its southern-seasoned, hand-breaded fried chicken, as well as scratch-made menu items, including biscuits the company website claims take 49 steps to prepare. The chain's core stronghold market has historically been in the Southeastern U.S. Expansion attempts to other markets in 2014 and 2015 weren't quite successful, but 2025 is another story.

Bojangles will keep serving up its full southern menu in its core market, but streamline menu offerings in new stores in other markets. In 2025, Bojangles plans to expand its just-over-800 restaurant fleet by 1,000 units, including locations in universities. New markets include Los Angeles, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Houston. The expansion will be facilitated in part by "Bo-Linda," the chain's drive-thru voice AI, powered by Hi Auto. A company press release shared with restaurant industry publications assures customers that "Bo-Linda is viewed as a valuable team member instead of a threat to their [employees'] jobs."

Zaxby's is another chicken chain with southern roots and Southeastern market share, but more known for its signature sauces and zesty use of the letter "z" in menu items. The chain was founded in Athens, Georgia in 1990, and ever since has served up a menu of chicken fingerz, zalads, and zappetizers. 2025 expansion planz include increasing locations in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. market, as well as heading West. Phoenix, Arizona and the surrounding metro area will have plenty of locations to order up an Asian Zensation Zalad full of Zaxby's fried chicken.

2025 has seen more traditionally casual chicken chain Hooters near bankruptcy (and then file for it), but smaller, quick-service concepts appear to be thriving.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a convenience store chicken chain, founded in Louisiana in 1989. The chain serves its mildly-seasoned southern fried small-batch, hand-breaded chicken pieces, nuggets, and tenders in more than 3,200 locations nationwide. During the lockdown era of the COVID-19 pandemic, Krispy Krunchy Chicken expanded its brand recognition and delivery offerings via partnerships with Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash. In 2025, the chain aims to open more than 600 new locations, topping its 2024 number of 605 new locations. At least a dozen of those new locations will be inside Walmart stores.

While many successful U.S. chicken chains have roots in, or emulate the culinary style of, the American South, Bonchon ("my hometown" in Korean) is a successful chicken chain from overseas. Founded in South Korea in 2002, the small-footprint chain serves up Busan-style fried chicken dishes with a variety of sauces. The chain opened its first U.S. store in Fort Lee, New Jersey in 2006, and opened its 150th U.S. store in February 2025. Bonchon also opened new locations in Arkansas, Florida, and Iowa, and has around 100 more U.S. stores planned for the next five years. The brand also plans to continue its expansion by building out its catering program, which means a tasty piece of Korean BBQ chicken could soon find its way to a birthday party near you.