Krispy Krunchy Chicken's History, Menu & Franchise Opportunity

The History and Origins of Krispy Krunchy Chicken

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is a popular Louisiana-based quick service restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken, seafood, sides, and other Southern comfort foods. The company was founded in 1989 by Neal and Billy Leger in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Leger brothers sought to bring the flavors of authentic Cajun cooking to a fast food setting.

The idea for Krispy Krunchy Chicken was born when the Leger brothers observed the popularity of churches serving fried chicken dinners as fundraisers in their community. They realized there was an unmet demand for quality fried chicken in a fast casual dining environment. After perfecting their signature recipes and fryers, the brothers opened the first Krispy Krunchy Chicken in Lafayette in 1989.

The Krispy Krunchy Chicken Menu and Dining Experience

The star of the Krispy Krunchy Chicken menu is their hand-breaded, freshly prepared fried chicken. The chicken is marinated for 12 hours before being breaded and cooked in a proprietary frying method that keeps the chicken extra crispy. The menu features bone-in fried chicken in variations like wings, legs, thighs, breast, and chicken tenders.

In addition to the fried chicken, Krispy Krunchy Chicken serves up Southern-inspired sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, biscuits, dirty rice, red beans and rice, mac and cheese, french fries, and potato salad. For seafood lovers, they also offer fried catfish, shrimp, and oysters.

The dining experience at Krispy Krunchy Chicken is quick and casual. Customers order at the counter and food is brought out shortly after. The restaurants have a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a New Orleans flair. Many locations have outdoor patio seating as well.

The Growth and Expansion of Krispy Krunchy Chicken

The first Krispy Krunchy Chicken saw immediate success, with customers lining up out the door. The Leger brothers began franchising the concept in 1990. Through franchising and corporate stores, Krispy Krunchy Chicken steadily expanded across Louisiana and other Southern states.

In 1999, Krispy Krunchy was acquired by NexCore Group, though the Leger brothers remained involved. This gave the brand the corporate infrastructure and support needed for more aggressive franchise growth nationwide. There are now over 2,300 Krispy Krunchy Chicken locations across 45 states.

In addition to traditional standalone locations, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has express models in convenience stores, truck stops, grocery stores, schools, and corporate cafeterias. The flexible formats allow the brand to cast a wider net.

Why Krispy Krunchy Chicken Stands Out

In a crowded fast food industry, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has stood out by sticking to what it does best - quality Southern comfort food with a focus on fresh, hand-breaded fried chicken. Here are some standout features that set them apart:

• Authentic Louisiana flavors and recipes perfected by the Leger brothers
• Special marination process for juicy, flavorful chicken
• Proprietary frying method keeps the chicken extra crispy
• Friendly, welcoming customer service that makes guests feel at home
• Convenient, flexible footprint with express models for expanded reach
• Strong franchisee support model for ease of operations

Krispy Krunchy Chicken has churned out bold Louisiana flavor from its beginnings as a family-owned business to a national franchise brand. By staying true to its Southern roots, it continues to win over fried chicken fans both in its home region and beyond.

Krispy Krunchy Chicken's Menu Items and Signature Dishes

When you walk into a Krispy Krunchy Chicken, the air is filled with the aroma of fresh fried chicken and savory Southern flavors. The menu features a variety of options for fried chicken lovers, as well as seafood, signature sides, and regional favorites. Here is an overview of some standout items you'll find on Krispy Krunchy Chicken's menu:

Fried Chicken Selections

The star of the show is the fried chicken, which comes in a variety of styles:

• Bone-In Fried Chicken - Available as a bucket of mixed pieces or as individual orders of breast, legs, thighs, wings, and more
• Tenders - Juicy strips of all breast meat, perfect for dipping in one of the signature sauces
• Chicken Livers - For those who enjoy this regional delicacy breaded and fried
• Fried Chicken Sandwiches - The crispy chicken paired with pickles and served on a toasted brioche bun

Signature Sides

The hearty sides at Krispy Krunchy Chicken are the perfect accompaniment to the fried chicken and seafood:

• Mashed Potatoes - Creamy, smooth mashed potatoes just like mom used to make
• Coleslaw - Cool, crunchy cabbage tossed in a creamy dressed spiced just right
• Red Beans and Rice - A Louisiana specialty flavored with onions, bell peppers, and Andouille sausage
• Dirty Rice - The rice is cooked in chicken broth and tossed with chicken livers and giblets
• Mac and Cheese - Elbow macaroni baked in a creamy cheese sauce

Seafood Specialties

For non-chicken options, Krispy Krunchy Chicken uses the same proprietary frying method for juicy, golden seafood:

• Fried Catfish - Served as fillets or catfish baskets with fries
• Fried Shrimp - Plump shrimp hand-breaded and fried to order
• Fried Oysters - Fresh local Louisiana oysters fried up golden and crispy

Regional Favorites

Some menu items are homages to local Louisiana flavor:

• Red Beans and Rice - Simmered with Cajun seasonings and sausage
• Po' Boys - A fried seafood or chicken sandwich served on a New Orleans French bread loaf
• Chicken & Sausage Gumbo - A hearty soup loaded with chicken, sausage, and vegetables

The menu has expanded over the years, but the core guiding principle at Krispy Krunchy Chicken is quality, Louisiana-inspired comfort food made fresh. Stop by any location to taste the flavors that made this brand famous.

The Krispy Krunchy Chicken Dining Experience

The ambiance and service at Krispy Krunchy Chicken locations are just as important as the food itself. Dining at Krispy Krunchy is designed to make guests feel welcomed with prompt, friendly service in a laid-back Southern setting. Here's an overview of what customers can expect when visiting one of the over 2,300 Krispy Krunchy Chicken restaurants:

The Restaurant Environment

Krispy Krunchy Chicken restaurants have an inviting, family-friendly atmosphere. The dining rooms are brightly lit with a vibrant color palette of warm reds, sunny yellows, and deep oranges. New Orleans-inspired design accents like bead garlands and wrought ironwork add Southern flair.

Many locations feature outdoor patio seating, which creates an even more relaxed, neighborhood vibe. Customers will hear a mix of upbeat Southern rock and country tunes playing on the speakers blending with the energetic hum of customers chatting and enjoying their meals.

Prompt, Friendly Service

At Krispy Krunchy Chicken, customers place their orders at the counter and staff deliver the food to tables shortly after. The service is designed to be quick and convenient while still being welcoming.

Team members are trained to engage customers in friendly conversation at the counter when taking orders. The genuine hospitality extends to bringing out piping hot dishes with a smile and checking in on tables during the meal. Kids in particular will get a kick out of interactions with the staff.

A Strong Sense of Community

Krispy Krunchy Chicken restaurants often serve as gathering places for local communities. Guests will see families sharing meals after little league games, colleagues on lunch breaks, friends catching up over an order of wings, and regulars chatting up staff.

The brand prides itself on being woven into the fabric of neighborhoods and getting to know longtime customers. Southern hospitality is always on the menu at Krispy Krunchy Chicken.

Whether sitting down for a full meal or grabbing a to-go order, customers can expect quality comfort food, swift service with a smile, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like home at Krispy Krunchy Chicken.

Franchising with Krispy Krunchy Chicken

For over 30 years, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has provided business opportunities to qualified entrepreneurs seeking to own their own fast-casual franchise. Krispy Krunchy Chicken's strong corporate support, proven business model, and passionate fan base make it an attractive franchise investment.

The Krispy Krunchy Business Model

Krispy Krunchy Chicken utilizes a well-oiled franchise system to expand while still ensuring consistency. Some advantages for franchisees include:

• No prior restaurant experience required for franchisees
• Corporate support for site selection, lease negotiation, and permitting
• Proprietary plans for efficient kitchen layout and equipment packages
• Initial training and ongoing support from corporate team
• Grand opening support including marketing assets and events
• National purchasing program for discounted supplies and ingredients

Krispy Krunchy Chicken allows for flexible formats like standalone restaurants, kiosks, food trucks, and more. This allows optimal placement to maximized sales.

The Benefits of Opening a Krispy Krunchy Chicken

As a Krispy Krunchy Chicken franchisee, you can expect:

• Support from a trusted brand in business for over 30 years
• A piece of an expanding $30+ billion fast food chicken category
• Ideal territories in new and existing markets nationwide
• Robust network of fellow franchisees to learn from
• Ongoing corporate assistance with operations, marketing, training, and more
• Potential for multi-unit ownership for expanded revenue

Krispy Krunchy Chicken is actively seeking qualified operators looking to diversify their portfolios with a proven franchise investment.

Getting Started with a Krispy Krunchy Franchise

The initial franchise fee to open a Krispy Krunchy Chicken is $30,000. The total initial investment ranges from $260,00 to $1.2 million depending on size and location. Krispy Krunchy Chicken provides financing assistance to cover the initial franchise fee.

The ideal Krispy Krunchy Chicken franchisee is passionate about the brand, has restaurant operations or business management experience, and is active in the local community. Previous restaurant experience is valued but not required.

To get started, potential franchisees can visit the Krispy Krunchy Chicken franchising website and complete an online application. The corporate franchising team will learn more about your goals and provide details on available territories and operating Krispy Krunchy Chicken franchise. You will also attend an in-person Discovery Day to meet the team and view operations firsthand.

For entrepreneurial-minded individuals, a Krispy Krunchy Chicken franchise presents a lucrative opportunity backed by a proven system. With corporate support in place every step of the way, you can focus on serving up quality chicken to your local community.

FAQs

How did Krispy Krunchy Chicken get started?

Krispy Krunchy Chicken was founded in 1989 by two brothers, Neal and Billy Leger, in Lafayette, Louisiana. They opened the first location to bring the flavor of Southern-fried chicken to a fast-casual setting after finding success selling chicken plates at local church fundraisers.

What is Krispy Krunchy Chicken's signature menu item?

Krispy Krunchy Chicken's claim to fame is its fresh, hand-breaded fried chicken. The chicken is marinated for 12 hours then cooked using the brand's proprietary frying method to achieve an ultra-crispy texture.

Does Krispy Krunchy Chicken offer franchising opportunities?

Yes, Krispy Krunchy Chicken has franchised since 1990. The flexible store formats, corporate support, and proven business model make it an attractive franchise investment opportunity.

How many Krispy Krunchy Chicken locations are there?

As of 2024, there are over 2,300 Krispy Krunchy Chicken locations across 45 U.S. states. The brand continues to grow through corporate stores and franchising.

What makes Krispy Krunchy Chicken stand out from other fried chicken chains?

Krispy Krunchy Chicken stands out for its authentic Louisiana flavors, specialty marination process, proprietary frying method, and emphasis on Southern hospitality in its service and restaurant environment.