Jake Harper
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was founded by Larry Lo-Lo White and first opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 2002. The restaurant quickly became a local and national sensation, attracting long lines of customers and celebrity fans. Lo-Lo's was the first to bring chicken and waffles to Arizona, with White developing the recipes in the late 1990s and testing them in his grandmother's restaurant kitchen. The success of the original Phoenix location led to the opening of additional Lo-Lo's restaurants in Arizona and plans for further expansion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year the first restaurant opened | 2002 |
| Location of the first restaurant | Phoenix, AZ |
| Owner's full name | Larry White Jr. |
| Owner's nickname | Lo-Lo |
| Owner's grandmother's restaurant | Mrs. White’s Golden Rule Cafe |
| Owner's grandmother's name | Elizabeth |
| Owner's other restaurants | Monroe’s Hot Chicken, Brunch & Sip |
| Number of locations | 5 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 2002
- The restaurant was founded by Larry 'Lo-Lo' White
- Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was the first soul food restaurant in Phoenix
- Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has since expanded to multiple locations
- Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles is known for its famous fried chicken and waffles
The first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles opened in Phoenix, Arizona in 2002
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was founded by Larry "Lo-Lo" White, whose restaurant experience began in his grandmother's kitchen. Elizabeth White, Larry's grandmother, owned Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe in downtown Phoenix, which opened in the 1960s. Larry grew up working in the restaurant, bussing tables and absorbing the atmosphere.
Inspired by Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles, Larry began developing his own recipes for chicken and waffles in the late '90s. After testing them in his grandmother's kitchen, he opened the first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2002. The restaurant was small, at just 1,000 sq. ft., but it quickly gained popularity and became an unlikely destination for authentic soul food.
Word spread by mouth from raving fans, and soon Lo-Lo had celebrity customers, including Charles Barkley, the Phoenix Suns, Shaq, and Muhammad Ali. He also began catering events for sports teams and famous musicians. The restaurant's success allowed Larry to open a second location, which also drew a cult-like following, with lines out the door and a full house for Sunday brunch.
Larry's business has continued to thrive and expand, with multiple locations across Arizona and plans for further growth. Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has become a local and national sensation, known for its delectable chicken and waffles cooked to golden perfection. Larry's journey is a testament to the power of organic growth and the enduring appeal of soul food.
Understanding Lamb and Chicken Meals: What's Inside?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The restaurant was founded by Larry 'Lo-Lo' White
The restaurant was founded by Larry "Lo-Lo" White, whose restaurant experience dates back to his childhood. White's grandmother, Elizabeth, owned Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe, a soul food restaurant in downtown Phoenix, which she opened in the 1960s. White began working in the restaurant as a young child, bussing tables and absorbing the atmosphere.
White's first foray into creating his own recipes came after a visit to Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles in 1975. After tasting the chicken and waffles there, he began to cook his own version of the dish for family and friends back in Phoenix. White used his grandmother's restaurant kitchen as a testing ground for his recipes. Before long, he had perfected his signature chicken and waffles, and in 2002, he opened the first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles in Phoenix, Arizona.
The restaurant quickly gained a cult-like following, with lines out the door and a full house for Sunday brunch. Word spread by mouth, and soon Lo-Lo's had celebrity fans, including Charles Barkley, the Phoenix Suns, Shaq, and Muhammad Ali. Lo-Lo's also began catering events for sports teams like the Arizona Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Chicago Cubs, as well as for celebrities like Snoop Dogg.
Since its founding, Lo-Lo's has expanded to multiple locations, both within and outside Arizona, and has become a soul food franchise with nationwide expansion plans. White has worked with CDC Small Business Finance to secure multiple SBA 504 loans to support this growth, including a $2 million loan for his fifth restaurant, which created 120 new jobs. As of 2022, White employs over 200 people across his restaurants and has his eyes set on international expansion.
Nurturing a Hen and Her Chicks: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was the first soul food restaurant in Phoenix
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles, founded by Larry "Lo-Lo" White, opened its first location in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2002. White's restaurant experience began in his childhood when he worked at his grandmother's soul food restaurant, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe, in downtown Phoenix. The family-owned business was started by his grandmother, Elizabeth, in the 1960s.
White started developing recipes for Lo-Lo's in the late 1990s, inspired by his visits to Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles. He brought the dish back to Phoenix, cooking it for family and friends, and soon realised he wanted to introduce chicken and waffles to the city. White used his grandmother's restaurant as a testing ground for his recipes, thus continuing his family's legacy of food in Phoenix.
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles quickly gained popularity, with lines forming around the block and celebrity fans, including Charles Barkley, the Phoenix Suns, Shaq, and Muhammad Ali. The restaurant also began catering to sports teams and famous musicians, including the Arizona Cardinals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Snoop Dogg. The success of the first Lo-Lo's location in Phoenix transformed the city into an unlikely destination for authentic soul food.
With the success of the initial Phoenix location, White expanded Lo-Lo's to multiple sites, including Scottsdale and Gilbert, Arizona, and later, California. The franchise has continued to grow, with plans for further expansion beyond the US, showcasing the impact of Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles as the first soul food restaurant in Phoenix.
Hei Hei's Breed: Unveiling Moana's Chicken Companion
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has since expanded to multiple locations
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was founded by Larry "Lo-Lo" White, whose restaurant experience began in his grandmother's soul food restaurant, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe, in downtown Phoenix in the 1960s. Lo-Lo started developing recipes for his signature chicken and waffles in the late '90s, and in 2002, he opened the first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles in Phoenix, Arizona. The restaurant quickly gained popularity, attracting long lines of customers and celebrity fans, including Charles Barkley, the Phoenix Suns, Shaq, and Muhammad Ali.
Since its founding, Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has expanded to multiple locations, both within Arizona and beyond. As of 2017, the business had three additional locations in Scottsdale, Gilbert, and Phoenix, with gross sales of over $2 million at each site. Lo-Lo has also secured a $2 million SBA 504 loan to build his fifth restaurant, creating 120 new jobs.
In an interview, Lo-Lo expressed his ambition to take Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles global, stating that he believes the brand can be successful not just in the US but also in countries like England, France, and Spain. He attributes the success of his restaurants to his well-travelled perspective, bringing diverse experiences and flavours to Phoenix.
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has become a sensation, with its award-winning soul food attracting customers from around the country and commanding attention from celebrities and professional athletes interested in franchising opportunities. The business has also been featured on TNT's "Inside the NBA."
Chicken Fingers Carbs: Zaxby's Nutritional Breakdown
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles is known for its famous fried chicken and waffles
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles, founded by Larry "Lo-Lo" White, is known for its famous fried chicken and waffles. The restaurant's reputation for its delectable soul food spread by word-of-mouth from raving fans across the country. Lo-Lo's first developed his recipes in the late '90s, inspired by his grandmother's soul food restaurant, Mrs. White's Golden Rule Cafe, and his visits to Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles.
In 2002, Lo-Lo opened his first restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, introducing the city to the chicken and waffles combo. The 1,000 sq. ft. location quickly gained popularity, with lines forming around the block and celebrity fans, including Charles Barkley, Shaq, and Muhammad Ali. Lo-Lo's soon expanded to multiple sites, including Scottsdale and Gilbert, and became known for its award-winning soul food and small business success.
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles has since expanded beyond Arizona, with plans for nationwide expansion and even global reach. The franchise is known for treating its franchisees like family and providing ongoing guidance and support. Lo-Lo's has also received recognition for its scratch-made fried chicken and fluffy waffle recipes, which have been featured on TNT's "Inside the NBA."
The success of Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles can be attributed to the delicious combination of fried chicken and waffles, perfected by Lo-Lo over the years. The restaurant's fame and following are a testament to the appeal of this unique soul food dish. Lo-Lo's has become a go-to destination for those craving chicken and waffles, with a reputation that continues to spread and attract new fans.
Spanish Farmer's Secret to Happy Chickens
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles was located in Phoenix, Arizona.
The first Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles opened in 2002.
Larry White, also known as Lo-Lo, is the owner of Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles.
Larry White, or Lo-Lo, was inspired to bring chicken and waffles to Phoenix after visiting Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles in Los Angeles.
Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles became popular through word-of-mouth from raving fans, including celebrities and athletes.
