Chesters Chicken was originally a licensed chicken concept that started in 1952 and has now evolved into a full franchise model offering. Located across the US and on two other continents, Chesters offers a “store in store” concept.
That is, you will find Chester’s Chicken counters in gas stations, c stores, food courts, and the like.
I see a lot of them in gas stations on the interstates. They are usually well represented in the typical blue information signs on the highway, so you can be aware that there is one ahead.
I’ve never seen a free standing store, not sure if they do that.
They offered fried chicken in different styles: bone in, tenders, wings, boneless wings, sandwiches, wraps, with a whole host of sides including potatoes, vegetables and biscuits.
It seems the menu can vary slightly, so it would appear that headquarters doesn’t have a problem with that. I see some locations offering breakfast sandwiches, some locations have fried fish, usually catfish nuggets, but I have seen swai as well (which is a type of very mild Asian catfish). (Partial menu appears below).
The food is presented in well lit, clean counters, and as an ala carte, single piece, meal or snack size. It’s all delicious, really, it’s a crispy mildly seasoned breading and I’ve never had a piece of chicken (or fish) that wasn’t cooked perfectly.
They haven’t penetrated the Upper Midwest, where I live, very well. Hopefully that will change.
I drove around the south a few years ago and tried all manner of tenders from different joints. You can read about that here. Another similar concept is Dodge’s Chicken (not size comparable tho), and Krispy Krunchy, headquartered out of Louisiana is another comer. Some cities have their own localized versions, catering to more regional tastes. In New Orleans, look for “Brothers.”
Want your very own Chester’s? (I sure would). They have a real interesting, low fee/no royalty model. Read about franchising on their website.
Tenders and bone-in
Choose your goodies
Click to enlarge menu