Atlanta — Continuing its impressive growth trajectory in the U.S. and internationally, quick-service chicken restaurant chain Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ recorded blockbuster development growth in 2023. The company is also continuing its successful remodeling program.
“2023 was a monumental year for the Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ brands as we significantly grew our footprint and development pipeline, while at the same time, refining our brand positioning and strategy, investing substantially in new capabilities and breaking unit-level sales records across the board,” says Joe Guith, who was named CEO in August 2022. “This progress is all the more impressive given the economic headwinds the entire industry has faced this past year.”
In the U.S., Church’s Texas Chicken® continues to open restaurants in new markets, including Bremerton, Wash.; Bryant, Ark.; and Tulsa, Okla. It posted a threefold increase in the number of domestic new deal signings compared to the previous year.
In addition to new openings, the brand will roll out a new compact footprint design this year. It is also further accelerating efforts to reimage existing restaurants under the successful Blaze concept, which features more contemporary and engaging design elements connected to the restaurant chain’s Texas roots. Since the Blaze concept debuted in 2020, more than 100 restaurants have been reimaged — leading to increased sales and traffic for the brand. Another 400 more remodels are planned for the next 3 years in the U.S.
Internationally, Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ opened 70 new locations last year in 15 markets across Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Middle East and Asia Pacific. With multiple new deals signed in 2023 in Asia, the Caribbean and Middle East, the brand is on track to grow its international footprint by more than 50% over the next 5 years.
Globally, Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™ have more than 1,500 locations in 23 countries.
“As we look to 2024 and beyond, we are focused on building on this considerable momentum,” Guith adds. “From a development perspective, there is tremendous opportunity to open in new markets. With the additional investments we are making in people, technology, brand positioning and marketing, operations, real estate market planning and new prototype development, our compass is set and we are well-positioned to continue on this exciting transformation trajectory.”
Founded in San Antonio in 1952, Church’s Texas Chicken®, along with its sister brand Texas Chicken™ outside of the U.S., is one of the largest quick-service chicken restaurant chains in the world. Owned by High Bluff Capital Partners since 2021, Church’s® celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2022. For more information, visit www.churchs.com and www.texaschicken.com.
SOURCE: Church’s Texas Chicken® and Texas Chicken™