Operations

Marine Corps veterans, childhood friends sign 6-unit Huey Magoo's deal in South Carolina

Left to right: Franchise Partner Grant McDowell, Franchise Partner Jeremy Press and Operating Partner Jason Twitty. Photo: Huey Magoo’s

August 20, 2026

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Two childhood friends and Marine Corps veterans have signed on to develop six Huey Magoo's locations across Rock Hill, Fort Mill and Columbia, South Carolina, the fast-casual chicken tender chain announced Wednesday.

Grant McDowell and Jeremy Press, who met in middle school before both serving in the Marine Corps, will bring the "Filet Mignon of Chicken" brand to York, Richland and Lexington counties. The first restaurant is slated to open in Rock Hill by spring 2027, with a second planned near the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Operating partner Jason Twitty, who has more than 20 years of retail and food service experience, will oversee day-to-day operations for the group.

Press has spent nine years operating a Destination Athlete franchise, while McDowell has built a career in real estate. Press said the pair looked at several brands before settling on Huey Magoo's after visiting the chain's Greenville, South Carolina, location.

"We tried out the Greenville location for ourselves and all three of us loved it," Press said, adding that a visit to the company's Discovery Day event in Orlando, Florida, confirmed their decision.

McDowell pointed to Rock Hill's growth and location near Charlotte, North Carolina, as a draw for the group's debut restaurant, noting the area falls within Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers fan territory.

Huey Magoo's, founded in 2004, specializes in chicken tenders made from the tenderloin, which the company markets as the top 3% of the chicken. The menu also includes salads, sandwiches, wraps and sides such as hand-spun chips, coleslaw and banana pudding, along with a rewards app for mobile ordering and delivery.

The chain is set to open its 100th location later this year and operates in 13 states. It was recently named to Fast Casual's 2026 Top 100 Movers + Shakers list.