Fried chicken restaurants have become the most popular concept in the fast-food industry in less than 10 years.
The growing success of the fried chicken industry can be traced back to Popeyes’ launch of its chicken sandwich in August 2019, which triggered chicken sandwich wars that dragged Chick-fil-A into touting that its sandwich was the original, introduced in 1964.
Popeyes chicken sandwiches sold out everywhere
Popeyes’ chicken was so popular in 2019 that many of the locations had long lines of people trying to purchase the sandwich, until I observed a restaurant posting handwritten signs asserting that they were sold out of the product.
This scenario was repeated across the country, as the Washington Post reported in its review of the 2019 chicken sandwich wars at the time.
It was also around this time that another fried chicken fast-food chain, Dave’s Hot Chicken, began gaining popularity after four friends with $900 launched the brand with a pop-up chicken stand in a parking lot in East Hollywood, Calif., in 2017.
Dave’s Hot Chicken sold for $1 billion
Dave’s Hot Chicken was later sold to Roark Capital in June 2025 for $1 billion, Restaurant Business Magazine reported at the time. The chain has more than 300 locations globally.
Fried chicken dining chains could remain the most popular subsector of the fast-food industry in 2026, if last year’s trend continues.
Fried chicken fast-food traffic rose
Fried chicken fast-food restaurant traffic rose 3% in the year ending September 2025, while all concepts dropped 1% compared to the previous year, according to market research firm Circana, as reported by Fast Company.
The variety of chicken options offered, such as chicken pieces, chicken fingers, or chicken sandwiches, and how consumers enjoy their choices, may contribute to the continued popularity of the concept, an expert says.
“This is due to the experiences the brands are creating as well as the variety of chicken and how you can enjoy it,” industry expert Reilly Newman of Motif Brands told The Food Institute.
Not every fried chicken fast-food business is having success based on foot traffic, however, as a Nashville hot fried chicken chain has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Shutterstock
Hen House Nashville Hot Chicken files bankruptcy
Popular fast-food restaurant chainHen House Nashville Hot Chicken filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to reorganize its business after operating for about five years.
The Buffalo, N.Y., based restaurant operator filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York in Buffalo on Feb. 1, listing about $13,400 in assets and $100,000 to $500,000 in liabilities, according to RK Consultants.
Hen House idea came during Covid-19 pandemic
The debtor did not indicate a specific reason for filing for bankruptcy in its petition.
Hen House Group Inc.’s founder Sal Andolina developed the idea for the business during the Covid-19 pandemic and began serving his Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and chicken fingers from a bright red food truck in spring 2021, according to WKBW-TV.
More bankruptcies:
- 73-year-old family diner franchisee files Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- More troubled regional airlines file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Major department store brand liquidates in Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Hen House food truck is often parked for business outside Briar Brothers Brewing Company at 50 Elk Street in Buffalo.
The debtor expanded into its first brick-and-mortar location in a kitchen at Dome Stadium in Tonawanda, N.Y., in August 2021, and then opened a restaurant at 690 Hertel Ave. in Buffalo in December 2024.
Hen House promotes its most popular menu items on its website, including its Hot Hen Chicken Sandwich, Loaded Fries, and Chicken Fingers.
The restaurant chain offers online orders, delivery, and catering for up to 500 people, according to its website.
Hen House menu items:
- Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Tenders
- Burger
- Loaded Fries
- Loaded Mac
- Fries
- Onion Rings
- Mac and Cheese
- Taki Mac Salad
- Cole Slaw
Related: Major department store brand liquidates in Chapter 11 bankruptcy
