News

2 fast casual chicken chains adding to southern presence

Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy has opened in Miami.

September 13, 2019

Popeyes may be having a chicken sandwich shortage, but two up-and-coming fast casual chicken chains don't seem to be having an issue. Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri's Chicken Guy and Atlanta-based Ponko Chicken are expanding their footprints to Miami, Florida, and Alpharetta, Georgia, respectively

Located inside Aventura Mall's Treats Food Hall, Chicken Guy, a collaboration between Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl, is serving its chicken alongside 22 signature sauces. The opening in Miami follows the unit's first location, which opened last year in Orlando at the Walt Disney World Resort.

"Winner, winner, Chicken Guy! dinner...we're open for business at the Aventura Mall," said Fieri, host of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," a series on The Food Network.

Ponko Chicken, known for putting a Japanese flare on the standard chicken tender, is adding its third franchise to the Georgia food scene. Opening in early 2020, Ponko will be inside a new Alpharetta development called The Maxwell on South Main Street.

"I have loved this product since my very first bite of Ponko Chicken," Franchisee Rick Herrmann, said in the release. "It is unparalleled in taste and atmosphere and I am really looking forward to sharing it with the community of Alpharetta."

Ponko Culinary Executive Maggie Antoine, Brand Execuitve Reiko Clark and Chairman and CEO Partick Sallarulo founded the chain in 2017, in Chamblee, Georgia. The three began franchising the concept last year.