Convenience-store fried chicken chain Krispy Krunchy Chicken set a record in 2024 for its most store openings ever, at 605.
That eclipses the Alexandria, Louisiana-based chicken concept’s previous record of 481 set in 2023. The chain’s fried chicken is now sold in more than 3,200 locations in 47 states, mostly in convenience stores, but also in supermarkets, shopping malls and college campuses.
“We’ve grown on the solid foundation of prioritizing the profitability of our operators through a cohesive brand strategy, strong foundational partnerships and a focus on innovation,” said Jim Norberg, CEO of Krispy Krunchy Chicken. “These efforts have driven a significant increase in interest throughout the industry, and we continue to be sought out as the preferred foodservice offering.”
The brand projects it will open even more stores in 2025.
For comparison, fast-growing coffee chain Starbucks opened 614 new locations from 2023 to 2024, according to its financial filing.
“With a new organizational structure and new products, partners and platforms, Krispy Krunchy Chicken is accelerating its national expansion,” the company said, adding that to support its continued growth, it is focusing on collaboration across sales, operations, marketing and supply chain to enhance the brand experience.
On its website, Krispy Krunchy Chicken says it does not charge royalty or franchise fees and that operators need only a hood, hot food case and 85-pound fryer to get started with the 36-year-old concept. In addition to fried chicken, the in-store concept allows licensees to serve a full menu that also includes a variety of sides and the brand’s trademarked honey biscuits.
“Become everyone’s favorite restaurant without becoming a restaurant,” the brand’s website says.
In 2024, Krispy Krunchy Chicken introduced several successful menu innovations and limited-time offers, it said. This includes the launch of the updated Cajun Chicken Sandwich, which quickly became a standout in the competitive chicken sandwich market. The sandwich was named a winner in CSP’s 2024 Retailer Choice Best New Products Contest.
The brand said it also brought new relevance to its core menu by introducing its $4 Value Meal in the summer. “Research tells us that consumers choose us for our quality, our value and our craveability,” Norberg said. “We quickly responded to the growing demand for even greater value in today’s economic climate with the $4 Value Meal, offering a fresh, craveable meal at an exceptional price point.”
Krispy Krunchy Chicken plans to introduce more innovations in 2025, including new products and partnerships designed to increase customer satisfaction and growth.
Rolling out third-party delivery, featuring partners like DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub, was a focus in 2024 and has already started to pay off, Krispy Krunchy Chicken said.
“Consolidating third-party providers into one menu management tool through Olo, Krispy Krunchy began signing up stores mid-year and ended the year with nearly 500 stores on the platform,” Krispy Krunchy Chicken said. “The tool has lowered commission fees for most operators and has reduced complexity by allowing stores to eliminate multiple tablets from multiple partners.”
Initial sales have been strong, even when unexpected, Krispy Krunchy Chicken said.
“On Thanksgiving, we saw our volumes nearly double, and Christmas Day delivered sales at nearly four times our usual rate,” Norberg said. “Our operators have been extremely satisfied with this program, and we’ll be expanding it throughout 2025. It’s just one more way we help bring customers their favorite fried chicken, whenever and wherever they want it.”
This story originally appeared in sister publication, CSP Daily News. Heather Lalley contributed to this report.
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