Ezell's Famous Chicken: Locations And Expansion Plans

Ezell's Famous Chicken is a Seattle-based fast-food chain that first opened its doors in 1984. The restaurant was founded by Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd, and it rose to fame when Oprah Winfrey declared it her favourite fried chicken. As of 2015, Ezell's has expanded to 12 locations in the Puget Sound region, with an additional restaurant in Spokane, marking its first expansion outside of Western Washington. Internationally, Ezell's opened a location in the United Arab Emirates in 2015, which has since closed. With a dedicated following and a reputation for delicious fried chicken, Ezell's has become a notable presence in the fast-food industry.

Ezell's Famous Chicken was co-founded by Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd in 1984

Ezells Famous Chicken was co-founded by Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd on February 3, 1984, in Seattle's Central District neighbourhood. The pair first met in Scottsville, Texas, and discussed opening a restaurant in 1978 after Ezell left the Coast Guard and Lewis left the Army. To achieve their dream, they attended night school and later secured a loan from the Small Business Administration.

The restaurant chain has since expanded to 12 other locations in the Puget Sound region, including a site on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, opened in 2006. In 2015, Ezell's opened its first restaurant outside of Western Washington, in Spokane, followed by its first international location in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. However, the Sharjah location has since closed.

Ezell's gained fame when talk show host Oprah Winfrey declared it her favourite fried chicken. Oprah reportedly has the chicken flown to her in Chicago whenever she craves it. This endorsement has likely contributed to the restaurant's success and expansion over the years.

As of 2021, Ezell's has continued to support and raise up Black businesses and organizations in Washington state. They launched the "R.U.B.B. (Raising Up Black Businesses) Initiative" and offered 20 inaugural grants of $2,500 each to deserving Black-owned businesses or organizations. This initiative showcases Ezell's commitment to giving back to the community and empowering other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Oprah Winfrey endorsed the restaurant, saying it was her favourite fried chicken

Ezell's Famous Chicken is a fast-food chain that originated in Seattle, with its first restaurant opening in the Central District neighbourhood on February 3, 1984. The chain now has 12 other locations in the Puget Sound region, including one on the Microsoft campus in Redmond. The popularity of Ezell's chicken has spread far and wide, even reaching international shores with a now-closed location in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

The restaurant gained widespread recognition when celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey endorsed it as her favourite fried chicken. This endorsement was a game-changer for Ezell's, bringing it into the spotlight and creating a buzz around its mouth-watering fried chicken. Founded by Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd, the restaurant's fame skyrocketed with Oprah's seal of approval, solidifying its place in the hearts (and taste buds) of many.

Oprah's endorsement of Ezell's Famous Chicken is a testament to the restaurant's quality and flavour. Her influence as a beloved and respected media personality carried significant weight, attracting new customers and curious food enthusiasts alike. It is said that Oprah enjoys Ezell's chicken so much that she even has it flown to her in Chicago whenever the craving strikes. This level of dedication to Ezell's delicious offerings is a true testament to their culinary prowess.

The impact of Oprah's endorsement on Ezell's Famous Chicken cannot be overstated. With her proclamation of it being her favourite fried chicken, she not only increased the restaurant's popularity but also helped to establish it as a beloved culinary institution. The support of such a well-known figure not only brought immediate attention but also likely contributed to the restaurant's long-term success and expansion.

Ezell's Famous Chicken has come a long way since its early days in Seattle's Central District. With Oprah Winfrey's endorsement, the restaurant gained a loyal following, including those who crave its delicious fried chicken outside of its immediate vicinity. This led to the expansion of the chain to new locations, ensuring that more people could enjoy the tasty treats on offer. As Ezell's continues to grow, it carries with it the distinction of being Oprah-approved, a testament to its mouth-watering flavours.

The chain has 13 locations in the Puget Sound region, including one on the Microsoft Redmond campus

Ezell's Famous Chicken, a Seattle-based fast-food chain, has expanded significantly since its humble beginnings in 1984. The chain currently boasts an impressive presence in the Puget Sound region, with 13 locations scattered throughout the area. This includes a notable location on the Microsoft Redmond campus, which opened its doors in 2006.

The story of Ezell's Famous Chicken began in Seattle's Central District neighbourhood, near Garfield High School, where the founders, Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd, opened their first restaurant on February 3, 1984. The pair, hailing from Scottsville, Texas, had discussed their entrepreneurial dreams as early as 1978, following their respective departures from the Coast Guard and the Army. Through hard work and dedication, they turned their aspirations into reality.

The chain's expansion beyond its initial two locations faced some challenges. While a second location was opened in the University District in 1988, financial troubles led to its closure in 1994. However, Ezell's remained resilient, and a second wave of expansion commenced in 1998, paving the way for their current success.

Today, Ezell's Famous Chicken has firmly established itself in the Puget Sound region, with 13 locations catering to the community's love for fried chicken. The inclusion of the Microsoft Redmond campus location in their portfolio showcases the chain's ability to cater to diverse customer bases and underscores their popularity.

The success of Ezell's Famous Chicken is not limited to the Puget Sound region, however. In 2015, the chain ventured further, opening its first restaurant outside of Western Washington in Spokane. This was also the year they went international, debuting in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, although this location has since closed. The endorsement of talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who proclaimed Ezell's as her favourite fried chicken, has undoubtedly contributed to the chain's fame and appeal.

Ezell's opened its first international location in the United Arab Emirates in 2015

Ezell's Famous Chicken is a fast-food chain based in Seattle. The restaurant was founded by Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd, who opened the first Ezell's on 3 February 1984, in Seattle's Central District. The pair, originally from Scottsville, Texas, first discussed opening a restaurant in 1978, after both leaving their respective military careers.

Over a decade after opening their first restaurant, Ezell's began its first expansion in 1998. However, it wasn't until 2015 that the chain opened its first location outside of Western Washington, in Spokane. This was soon followed by the opening of Ezell's first international location in June 2015, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Unfortunately, the Sharjah location has since closed.

The opening of the Sharjah location marked a significant milestone in the growth and expansion of Ezell's Famous Chicken. With this new international presence, the chain was able to introduce its renowned fried chicken, endorsed by Oprah Winfrey, to a whole new market and customer base. The expansion also likely contributed to the increased brand recognition and awareness of Ezell's, both locally and globally.

The success and popularity of Ezell's can be partly attributed to its endorsement by famous talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has publicly declared it her favourite fried chicken. This celebrity stamp of approval has undoubtedly played a role in the chain's ability to expand and attract new customers.

Today, Ezell's continues to expand and solidify its presence in the highly competitive fast-food industry. With a total of 13 locations, including the original Seattle restaurant, the chain has established itself as a prominent player in the region's food landscape.

The chain has previously experienced financial problems, with one location closing in 1994

Ezell's Famous Chicken is a Seattle-based fast-food chain that has experienced both successes and setbacks throughout its history. The chain's journey began on February 3, 1984, when founders Ezell Stephens and Lewis Rudd, inspired by their shared passion for food after their military service, opened their first restaurant in Seattle's Central District. Over the years, Ezell's has garnered widespread recognition, particularly after talk show host Oprah Winfrey proclaimed it as her favourite fried chicken. This endorsement even led to rumours that she has the chicken specially delivered to her in Chicago.

Despite this fame, Ezell's has not been immune to financial challenges. In 1988, four years after opening their initial successful location, Ezell's expanded by opening a second restaurant in the University District. However, this new venture faced financial difficulties, ultimately leading to its closure in 1994. This setback didn't deter the founders, and a second expansion phase began in 1998, demonstrating their resilience and determination to bring their food to a wider audience.

Since then, Ezell's has continued to expand, with 12 locations in the Puget Sound region as of 2015, including a notable site on the Microsoft campus in Redmond, opened in 2006. This expansion has taken them beyond Western Washington, with a Spokane location opening in 2015, marking their first restaurant outside the region. Their ambition to spread their wings further was realised with their first international venture in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in June 2015. Unfortunately, the Sharjah location has since closed down, reminding us that expansion does not always equate to success, and that the restaurant business is notoriously volatile.

Despite the closures and financial problems encountered, Ezell's Famous Chicken has persevered and continued to grow. Their story is a testament to the resilience of the business and its founders, who, even in the face of challenges, have remained committed to sharing their beloved fried chicken with new communities.

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