Franchising

Golden Chick preps to open modular store

Quick and less-expensive store construction are among the benefits Golden Chick leaders expect to reap when they begin opening their first modular stores.

Renderings of Golden Chick's first modular store give an idea of the exterior appearance. (Photo provided)

January 14, 2021

Golden Chick is kicking off 2021 with innovation in restaurant design by introducing its first modular building, which is constructed off-site and transported to the final destination for completion. The first restaurant will open in March in Saginaw, Texas, and two installations will come in the first half of the year in Snyder and Refugio, Texas, a news release said.

"This new model will allow our franchisees to go-to-market quicker than ever before, while reducing the overall development and operational costs," Jim Stevens, Golden Chick president, said in the release. "The introduction of our first modular constructed restaurant is just one of many exciting announcements we have planned for this year. We are continuing to expand to new locations and introduce new menu items - you never know what we have up our sleeves."

Modular construction can knock 10-to-15% off the cost of traditional stick-built construction overall and usually takes only about five weeks to complete.

Golden Chick's modular restaurant design will feature a drive-thru as well as an area for online order pickups in a 1,920-square-foot space. A 1,400-square-foot model without interior seating is also currently in development and will be equipped with a drive-thru and walk-up order window.

"Our team's vision to implement modular construction into Golden Chick's system has been in the works for a few years," Larry Nelson, Golden Chick's vice president of development, said in the release. "We took our time to research and work on the development process to ensure it was done correctly, setting the standard for excellence high. Our family of franchisees have been anticipating the introduction of this model and we expect the demand for it to continue to grow."

The corporate-owned restaurant in Saginaw will be on North Old Decatur Road and will mark the brand's 200 location.

Seafood offerings

Although Golden Chick always offers a Southern fried catfish as part of a combo meal, it often ventures a little further into fish around mid-February to capture the business of customers who adhere to the annual observance of the Christian season of Lent.

From Feb. 15 to May 23, Golden Chick will offer several seafood-centered LTOs, including a beer-battered Alaskan cod sandwich and combo, for $4.99 and $7.99, respectively.

For $8.99, customers may tear into the brand's Crispy & Crunchy Cod & Shrimp Combo, featuring hand-battered cod filet, three butterfly shrimp, two sides, yeast roll, cocktail and tartar sauce and a 30-ounce drink.

Shrimp can be added to any meal for $1.99.

Inset photo: Provided