Krispy Krunchy Chicken – The Louisiana Legend Living in Gas Stations
Most people wouldn’t expect to find incredible fried chicken next to the Slurpee machine, but that’s exactly what Krispy Krunchy Chicken delivers. This Louisiana-born chain has been serving Cajun-flavored fried chicken since 1989, and according to Thrillist, it may be “the most underrated item in fast food today.”
Since its humble beginnings, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has mastered the convenience store-based quick-service concept, which means you won’t find many standalone locations, but you will see them attached to gas stations, convenience stores, and Walmarts in 47 states. The secret lies in their marinade technique that infuses each piece with bold Cajun flavors. In 2024, the chain opened an impressive 605 new locations and plans to open another 600 in 2025.
Bonchon – Korean Fried Chicken’s Double-Fried Excellence
When people think fried chicken, Korean preparation might not immediately come to mind, but it should. Bonchon serves Korean fried chicken that isn’t just crispy, it’s setting itself apart with sides that include kimchi and pickled radishes, starters like potstickers and fried octopus dumplings. The chain started in South Korea and has been quietly building its American presence.
This Korean fried chicken chain has been called the winner for best fast-food fried chicken, with hundreds of stores across multiple countries. The Korean-style of frying chicken typically involves frying twice – first to seal in flavors, second to crisp the skin, resulting in less messy chicken that seems lighter without being overly battered.
Huey Magoo’s – Florida’s Rising Tender Champion
Huey Magoo’s is among the newer chains that are quickly building momentum in the chicken world. This Florida-based concept focuses specifically on chicken tenders, doing one thing exceptionally well rather than trying to master everything. Their secret lies in hand-breaded preparation and a commitment to never serving anything that isn’t made fresh.
What makes Huey Magoo’s special isn’t just their tenders – it’s their approach to sauces and sides that complement rather than mask the chicken’s flavor. The chain has been strategically expanding beyond Florida, targeting markets where locals are hungry for something better than the usual suspects. Their growth strategy focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring each new location maintains the standards that made them a local favorite.
Golden Chick – Texas’s Best-Kept Secret Since the 1960s
Golden Chick got its start when an employee of another popular chicken franchise decided to use their talents to start their own franchise, opening the original flagship in Texas in the 1960s and growing to encompass over 200 locations today, with much of its popularity due to its longevity. This chain proves that sometimes the best ideas come from industry insiders who know exactly what’s missing in the market.
There’s a lot to love about Golden Chick, from the fried chicken sandwiches to the likelihood that there’s seafood on the menu too. The chain has managed to maintain its Texas charm while slowly expanding to other states. Their chicken preparation involves techniques that create an exceptionally crispy exterior while keeping the meat incredibly juicy inside.
Atomic Wings – New York’s Four-Minute Wing Revolution
Atomic Wings specializes in wings – hot ones at that – and is currently located only in the mid-Atlantic region, mostly in New York with a few stores in Maryland and one in West Virginia. What sets them apart isn’t just their name or their heat levels, but their revolutionary cooking technique that’s changing how people think about wing preparation.
They offer something few other wing chains provide: a quick-cooking technique that allows them to have an order ready in just four minutes, as opposed to the 16 to 20 minutes that wings usually take to cook. Wings aren’t the only thing on their menu – they also have burgers, gyros, chicken sandwiches, chicken-topped salads, chicken and rice, and chicken and waffles.
Champs Chicken – Midwest’s Convenience Store Champion
Champs Chicken offers a selection of non-chicken but still deliciously fried foods including fish, shrimp, and pork loin (chicken-fried pork being kind of a Midwestern thing), and early risers or late-night road warriors will appreciate their breakfast menu that features an egg, cheese, and chicken biscuit sandwich. This chain understands that sometimes the best food comes from unexpected places.
Like Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Champs operates primarily through convenience stores and gas stations, but don’t let the location fool you. Their commitment to quality preparation and seasoning rivals dedicated restaurants. The chain has built a loyal following among truckers and locals who’ve discovered that great fried chicken doesn’t always require a fancy dining room.
Dave’s Hot Chicken – From Parking Lot to Phenomenon
Dave’s Hot Chicken didn’t have the most glamorous opening in 2017 – it didn’t even have a building, just a parking lot, folding tables, and a portable fryer, operating out of that parking lot for seven months before opening its first restaurant location. Sometimes the best success stories start with the most humble beginnings.
When a journalist came to try the chicken, wrote an article praising its quality, and created so much buzz that lines formed around the block, the chain has since grown from its humble origins to 283 locations at the end of 2024. Their Nashville hot chicken style has captured attention nationwide, proving that authenticity and quality eventually win over convenience and marketing.
Big Chicken – Shaq’s Slam Dunk Into Fried Chicken
Walk into a Big Chicken, and you’ll notice a lot of reference to big flavor and sports, which isn’t an accident, as one of the chain’s backers is Shaquille O’Neal – and yes, there’s a combo called the Shaq Attack, with chipotle barbecue, a jalapeño slaw, and Pepper Jack cheese. Celebrity endorsements usually feel forced, but this partnership seems genuine because the food actually delivers.
Craveworthy Brands absorbed Big Chicken in 2025, and the chain announced as the first confirmed tenant of a new State College high-rise, with promises to open more across Pennsylvania and plans for international expansion starting with Honduras and Canada.
Slim Chickens – Arkansas’s Gourmet Comfort Food
Slim Chickens earned attention initially because the name of the chain is so catchy. But behind the memorable branding lies a concept that takes fried chicken seriously while adding touches that elevate the experience beyond typical fast food. Their approach combines traditional Southern preparation with modern presentation and expanded menu options.
The chain offers both traditional fried chicken and chicken tenders, but their sides and desserts set them apart from competitors. Their fried pickles and ranch dressing have developed their own cult following, while their milkshake program rivals dedicated ice cream shops. The Arkansas-based chain has been steadily expanding while maintaining quality standards.
Chick N Max – Kansas’s Hidden Expansion Project
If you live in Wichita, Kansas, you’re no doubt familiar with Chick N Max, but if you’re anywhere else in the US, give them a little time to show up in your area because they have big plans and they’re growing as quickly as they can. Sometimes the best chains start small and focus on perfecting their concept before attempting massive expansion.
They’re currently looking to open three new locations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and their plans for the future include opening up to five more restaurants each year. This measured approach to growth suggests a chain more interested in maintaining quality than chasing rapid expansion.
PDQ – Florida’s Disappointing Potential
PDQ was expected to perform pretty well and land toward the top of rankings, but this wasn’t the case as the feel of the restaurant and quality of chicken tender didn’t hit where it needed to break even the halfway point. Not every chain lives up to its potential, but PDQ represents an interesting case study in execution versus concept.
The PDQ location had funny videos playing on television screens, but the chain doesn’t do much to create culture within the space or any kind of loyalty to the brand, and while milkshakes and sauces were highlights, stripping those away and looking strictly at the chicken and overall restaurant experience wasn’t very positive.
Pollo Campero – Guatemala’s Gift to American Fried Chicken
Pollo Campero has been around for a while – just not in the US, founded in 1971 with more than 400 locations worldwide and a serious foothold in Central America, with the first US restaurant opening in 2002. International chains bringing authentic flavors to American markets often offer something genuinely different from domestic competitors.
Americans love Pollo Campero too, likely because the chain’s unique offerings like sweet plantains for dessert, yucca fries for sides, and empanada trios make this place stand out from the rest. The focus going forward is to target new customers and bring them into the family too.
bb.q Chicken – Korea’s Best of the Best Quality
The bb.q in their name stands for “Best of the Best Quality”, and that’s exactly what taste testers discovered after sampling this fried chicken for the first time. This Korean chain takes the double-frying technique to its logical conclusion, creating chicken that’s simultaneously crispy and incredibly juicy.
The result is a less messy piece of chicken that actually seems lighter than you might expect and without being overly battered, with the chicken itself being the most succulent of the bunch, and the light yet crisp skin providing the ideal amount of crunch without overwhelming the meat.
Royal Farms – Maryland’s Convenience Store Miracle
Maryland’s convenience store chain has achieved cult status through their surprisingly exceptional fried chicken program, with Royal Farms proving that gas station food can reach gourmet levels with proper execution, giving their chicken the same attention as upscale restaurants with hand-breading and careful seasoning.
The convenience factor makes it a favorite among busy professionals and families, and food critics have grudgingly admitted that Royal Farms serves better fried chicken than many dedicated restaurants. This chain proves that location doesn’t determine quality – execution does.
Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles – California’s Soul Food Institution
Founded in 1975 by Herb Hudson, Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles is a Southern California institution, with its original Hollywood location growing to seven current restaurants in total around Los Angeles County and Orange County, and it’s the preferred chicken chain for notable names like President Barack Obama and Snoop Dogg.
While technically more of a regional institution than a hidden gem, Roscoe’s deserves recognition for pioneering the chicken and waffles combination that’s now found everywhere. Their menu features all the usual suspects, including waffles made with their special mix, fried chicken, and comforting sides like mac and cheese, red beans, and grits. The combination of sweet and savory has influenced countless other restaurants.
These fifteen chains prove that great fried chicken doesn’t always come from the biggest marketing budgets or the most locations. From gas station gems to international imports, each offers something unique that locals have discovered and champion. Whether it’s Korean double-frying techniques, Cajun marinades, or simply refusing to compromise on freshness, these chains understand that in the fried chicken game, quality always wins over convenience. The next time you’re craving something crispy and delicious, skip the usual suspects and seek out one of these local favorites – your taste buds will thank you for the adventure.
