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Church's Texas Chicken, commonly known as Church's Chicken, is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken. The company's headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia, but it has expanded internationally and trades as Texas Chicken in many countries. Church's Chicken was founded in 1952 by retired chicken incubator salesman George W. Church Sr. in San Antonio, Texas. The chain has since expanded to over 1,700 locations in 26 countries, with the company seeking to further its global presence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Office Location | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Texas Office Location | Austin, Texas |
| Other Office Locations | Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, California, Mississippi, Missouri, Arizona, South Carolina, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Oklahoma, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Virginia |
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What You'll Learn
Church's Chicken headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia
Church's Chicken, also known as Church's Texas Chicken, is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken. The chain was founded in 1952 by retired chicken incubator salesman George W. Church Sr. in San Antonio, Texas. The original restaurant, Church's Fried Chicken To-Go, was a single walk-up establishment that sold fried chicken, with two pieces of chicken and a roll costing just 49 cents.
Church's Chicken has since expanded to become an international chain, with over 1,700 franchised and company-owned locations in 26 countries as of 2017. The company's headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia, and it is owned by the American private equity firm High Bluff Capital Partners.
In addition to its fried chicken, Church's Chicken offers a variety of classic sides and desserts, including mashed potatoes with gravy, fried okra, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and jalapeño peppers. The menu also features chicken tenders and boneless wings, and seasonal seafood options such as shrimp and crispy fish.
Church's Chicken has had a long-standing partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, serving Coca-Cola beverages since 1952. In 2021, the company appointed Performance Food Group Company as its exclusive distributor in the United States until 2026.
The chain has undergone several changes in ownership and expansion strategies over the years. In 1968, the Church family sold the company, which became incorporated and went public a year later. By the end of 1968, Church's Chicken had expanded to over 100 restaurants in seven states, becoming the first Texas-based chain to achieve national reach. The company continued to grow, with 387 additional restaurants between 1969 and 1974.
Church's Chicken has also faced some challenges, including a four-month legal dispute to avoid a takeover in 1989, which ultimately resulted in its acquisition by Popeyes for $330 million. Despite these changes, the chain has maintained its presence and popularity in the highly competitive fast-food industry.
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The company was founded in San Antonio, Texas
Church's Texas Chicken is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken. The company was founded in San Antonio, Texas, in April 1952 by retired chicken incubator salesman George W. Church Sr. The first restaurant, Church's Fried Chicken To-Go, was located across the street from The Alamo. Initially, Church's Chicken was a single walk-up establishment that only sold fried chicken; two pieces of chicken and a roll cost 49 cents.
Church's Chicken has since expanded to become an international chain, trading as Texas Chicken or Church's Chicken in many countries. By 2017, the company had more than 1,700 franchised and company-owned locations in 26 countries. The company's headquarters are now in Atlanta, Georgia, and it continues to be a popular fast-food chain, particularly in the Southern United States.
In the early years, Church Sr. played an active role in the business, designing the kitchens with fryers next to the takeout window so customers could watch their food being prepared. Sadly, Church Sr. died in 1956, just four years after founding the company, and the operations were taken over by family members. By 1955, the menu had expanded to include fries and jalapeños, and by the time of Church Sr.'s death, there were four restaurants in San Antonio.
In 1962, with Church Sr.'s son, Bill Church Jr., as top executive, the company continued to expand, and by 1968, there were 17 restaurants in Texas, including eight in San Antonio. That same year, the Church family sold the company, which became incorporated and went public in 1969. By the end of 1968, Church's Chicken had become the first restaurant chain from Texas to gain national status, with more than 100 restaurants in seven states.
Church's Texas Chicken has had a long-standing partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, which has supplied beverages to the chain since 1952. This partnership was reaffirmed in 2008 with the renewal of their contract.
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Church's Chicken trades as Texas Chicken in many countries
Church's Chicken, an American fast-food chain specializing in fried chicken, was founded in 1952 in San Antonio, Texas. The chain's headquarters are currently located in Atlanta, Georgia, but it has expanded well beyond its Southern roots.
The chain has had a long history of expansion and franchising, beginning in 1965 when Church Jr. and his brother Richard developed a signature marinade that could be prepared at any location. In 1967, the chain expanded beyond San Antonio, opening restaurants in five other Texan cities. By the end of 1968, there were over 100 Church's Chicken restaurants across seven states, and the chain continued to rapidly expand its presence in the United States throughout the 1970s.
International expansion began in the 1970s, with locations opening in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Puerto Rico. The first Texas Chicken location opened in Indonesia in the 1980s, followed by other Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. As of 2017, Church's Texas Chicken had more than 1,700 franchised and company-owned locations in 26 countries worldwide.
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The chain has over 1,700 locations in 26 countries
Church's Texas Chicken, also known as Church's Chicken, is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken. It was founded in 1952 by retired chicken incubator salesman George W. Church Sr. in San Antonio, Texas. The chain's headquarters are in Atlanta, Georgia, and it is owned by the private equity firm High Bluff Capital Partners.
Church's Chicken has experienced significant growth since its founding. By 1968, there were over 100 restaurants across seven states, making it the first Texas-based chain to become a national one. This growth continued, and as of 2017, Church's Chicken had expanded to over 1,700 locations in 26 countries. The chain has a strong presence in the United States, with locations across various states, including Texas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and California.
The expansion of Church's Chicken has also reached international markets. In 1989, the chain expanded to Thailand, operating under the name Texas Chicken. However, in 2024, the operation was discontinued, with 97 locations nationwide at the time of closure. Despite this setback, Church's Chicken continues to pursue international expansion. Recent news indicates that the company is actively working towards growth in Europe, aiming to strengthen its global presence.
Church's Chicken's extensive menu features a variety of fried chicken options, including tenders and boneless wings. Classic Southern sides, such as mashed potatoes with gravy, fried okra, coleslaw, and corn on the cob, accompany the main dishes. Dessert options include honey butter biscuits and apple pie. Additionally, Church's Chicken offers seasonal seafood options, such as shrimp and crispy fish.
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Church's Chicken has a presence in the UK, Canada, and Thailand
Church's Chicken, also known as Church's Texas Chicken, is an American fast-food chain specialising in fried chicken. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and was founded in San Antonio, Texas, in 1952.
The chain began its international expansion in the 1970s, first reaching Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Puerto Rico. It gained popularity in Indonesia in the 1980s, operating under the trade name "Texas Chicken". Today, Church's Chicken continues to operate in Canada, with locations in Ontario and Lower Mainland.
Church's Chicken previously had a presence in Thailand, with 97 locations operated by PTT OR (PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited) under the name Texas Chicken. However, this operation was discontinued in September 2024 after nine years, as announced on their official Facebook page.
While there is no specific mention of Church's Chicken locations in the UK, the chain's expansion to 26 countries by 2017 suggests that it has established a presence in the UK, along with Canada and Thailand.
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Frequently asked questions
The main office for Church's Chicken is in Atlanta, Georgia.
The first Church's Chicken was opened in San Antonio, Texas.
The first Church's Chicken was opened in 1952.
The original name of Church's Chicken was Church's Fried Chicken To-Go.
