They were the first in fried chicken to go. In the 60s, Church's Chicken expanded into neighborhoods KFC wasn't interested in - low-income urban neighborhoods. This is where Church's Chicken saw an opportunity and their nationwide growth was fast.
Link to Nutrition Facts:
- Juicy Hand-Breaded Filet
- 3 Pickles
- Mayo
- Brioche Bun
- 100% Chicken Breast
- Hand-Breaded
- Original Recipe
- Freshly Baked Classic Biscuit
- Honey-Butter Sauce
- Creamy Cheddar Cheese
- Jalapeno Bits
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese sprinkled on top of Mac & Cheese then baked to golden perfection.
- Whipped Mashed Potatoes
- Savory, Rich Gravy
- Juicy apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and wrapped in a flaky crust then drizzled with sweet frosting.
Our StoryChurch's Texas ChickenWelcome to the Great State of Flavor
At Church's, we bring people together to savor the authentically unique flavor of Texas. We stick to our roots, because it's the special flavor that makes us who we are today. It's all about big portions, bold flavors, warm welcomes and saving plenty of room for seconds. Because we know that's how our guests like it – so that's the way we make it. Been that way for over seven decades, and it's not going to change now.Since when has Church's been from Texas?
Since 1952, inspired by our San Antonio roots, we've been servin' up your favorites as Church's Chicken. Now, over 70 years later, we're bringing it back to where it all began with a fresh and modern look and a new middle name too. It's Church's Texas Chicken. Same Church's you've always loved, now in a bold new era. Welcome to the Great State of Flavor.Started From Scratch
In 1952, across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio, TX, George W. Church opened the first Church's Fried Chicken To-Go. With crispy goodness, hand-crafted flavor, a can-do attitude, Churchie the loveable mascot and a jalapeno pepper on the side – George planted the seeds for what would one day become a world-renowned franchise.Tasting Success
Fast-forward to over seven decades of deliciousness and over one billion served, Church's Texas Chicken now spans the globe with franchises open for business worldwide. Along the way, we've had a few new looks, campaigns and leaders – but our commitment to authentic timeless flavor remains the same.Taste That's Timeless
Today, tomorrow and beyond, we're proud to build on George W. Church's legacy every single day. We don't mass produce, we handcraft. We're pioneers of timeless flavor. We aren't afraid of doing things differently because we do things right. That's what Texas Taste is all about: Striving for something bolder and a lot more delicious in a world full of sameness.Made from Scratch for 70 Years
- 7 decades ago, we were the first in fried chicken To-Go. But there's a reason we're still your favorite today. Must be that Trailblazin' Texas Spirit
- It all started in 1952
- Hand Crafted in San Antonio Bold thinking leads to bold results. And (thankfully) bold flavors. From a humble To-Go window across from the Alamo to an international original, George Church and his family set the standard on Day 1.
- We are Pioneers of Timeless Flavor Church's is food made by family, for families. That original recipe you keep cravin'? It was crafted over Sunday suppers in the Church's family kitchen. Get some To-Go and you can taste the tradition yourself.
- A Family Affair
- 1950's Our Mascot was hand-sketched at the Church family kitchen table.
- A Bold New Era Our doors have always been open to fried chicken lovers. Only now, we've got a fresh look to match our bold Texas flavor. Come see what's new inside and taste what hasn't changed for decades.
- Serving Fresh Fried Chicken
- With a Bold Texas Kick
- Jalapeno Squeeze We've never been afraid of doing things differently, and neither have our fans. With our signature jalapeno pepper in hand, they created the original spicy chicken with a simple squeeze. But be warned: This move is only for the bold.
- Hand-Crafted in Small Batches All day long
- Our Texas Way Our meals are made with love, but the heart and soul of Church's is our people. We're proud to serve Texas and beyond with a team that embodies our community values and trailblazing spirit.
LAURA CHURCHQuality product at a good value, that's our family legacy.-George's Granddaughter
Real Meals with Real Love
We were born in 1952, in San Antonio, TX, right across from a little place called the Alamo. They say everything's bigger in Texas. Well, they're right! Our BIG HEARTS are serving up BIG FLAVORS and have been doin' it for over 70 years.
We're friendly with everyone and will always greet you with a WARM WELCOME. We love like FAMILY and stand by our VALUES to proudly serve COMMUNITIES all around the world.
Our SOUTHERN PRIDE intertwined with our TEXAS roots means our kitchens are busy making up small batches of double-breaded chicken, only at Churchs scratch-made Honey-Butter Biscuits and the best sides in the business
We sum it up with three little words: BOLD TEXAS FLAVOR
BOLD in how we do it, TEXAS is the way we do it, and FLAVOR is what we do, every day just for you.
Church's Texas Chicken
WIKIPEDIAChurch's Texas Chicken
American fast food restaurant chain that specializes in fried chicken and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. They were founded as Church's Fried Chicken To-Go by George W. Church Sr. in April 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, across the street from The Alamo. Church's Texas Chicken trades as Texas Chicken or Church's Chicken in many countries. The chain is owned by American private equity firm High Bluff Capital Partners. As of 2017, Church's Texas Chicken had more than 1,700 franchised and company-owned locations in 26 countries.In 1952, retired chicken incubator salesman George W. Church Sr. opened the first Church's Chicken, named Church's Fried Chicken To-Go, in San Antonio, Texas.
Initially, Church's Chicken was a single walk-up establishment that only sold fried chicken. Two pieces of chicken and a roll cost 49 cents. Church's Chicken added fries and jalapenos to its menu in 1955. To allow customers to see their food prepared while they waited, Church Sr. designed the kitchen with the fryers next to the takeout window.
The company had four restaurants by the time of Church Sr.'s death in 1956. After his death, family members took over operations.
- In 1962, with Church Sr.'s son Bill Church Jr. as top executive, there were eight restaurants in San Antonio.
- To begin expanding and franchising in 1965, Church Jr. and his brother Richard developed a signature marinade that could be prepared at any location.
- Former vacuum cleaner salesman J. David Bamberger, who first met Church Jr. when he joined Bamberger's vacuum cleaner distributorship, joined Church's Chicken in 1965 to oversee the franchising.
- In 1966, a contract between Church's Fried Chicken, Inc. and Jim Dandy Fast Foods, Inc. gave Jim Dandy the right to use the trade names and trademarks "Church's Fried Chicken" or "Church's" within fifty miles of Houston's city hall and within the city limits of Galveston, Texas for ten years, as long as Church's Chicken received the agreed upon royalties.
- In 1967, they opened restaurants in five Texan cities outside of San Antonio.
- They operated 17 restaurants in 1968.
- In 1968, the Church family sold the company, which became incorporated and went public in 1969. By the end of 1968, there were more than 100 Church's Chicken restaurants in seven states, making the chain the first from Texas to become a national one.
- Between 1969 and 1974, Church's Chicken gained 387 more restaurants.
- Church's Chicken began its international expansion in the 1970s, in Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Puerto Rico.
- In the late 1970s, the chain briefly operated a hamburger franchise in Texas called G.W. Jrs. The roughly 60 locations were shuttered in 1985.
- In 1980, Church Jr. resigned as corporation chairman, and was replaced by childhood friend, Roger Harvin.
- In the 1980s, it gained popularity in Indonesia when it opened under the trade name, "Texas Chicken". The first reason of changing the name into "Texas" is because the brand name "Church" was not popular in countries with majority non-Christian religions, such as Indonesia. Afterwards, locations in Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Philippines were also opened under the trade name "Texas Chicken".
- In March 1996, Hala Moddelmog was appointed president of Church's Chicken, making her the first female president of a fast food restaurant chain.
- In 2017, Church's Chicken announced a multi-year development deal with Goalz Restaurant Group, LLC to develop 20 Church's Chicken restaurants each year in Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina.
- In August 2021, Church's Chicken was acquired by High Bluff-backed Rego Restaurant Group, the owners of Quiznos and Taco del Mar.
- In 2022, Church's Texas Chicken operated more than 1,500 locations worldwide. Its international locations include Bahrain, Belarus, Cambodia, Canada, Curaçao, Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, St. Lucia, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.
Church's Chicken: A San Antonio-born Legacy
San Antonio Historic PreservationJune 2022
On April 10, 1952, George W. Church, Sr., opened Church's Fried Chicken-To-Go at 111 S. Alamo Street, the first of more than 1,600 Church's Chicken locations worldwide. He advertised the stand as “across from the Alamo,” a clever marketing scheme since the stand was just a couple blocks south of the historic site.
Original Location: 111 S. Alamo StreetIn the early days, he sold two pieces of fried chicken and a biscuit for 49 cents; the company added French fries and jalapenos to the menu in 1955. George Sr. passed away in 1956, by which time the company had expanded to four locations in San Antonio. By 1962, when George Sr.'s son George W. "Bill" Church, Jr., took charge of the company, there were eight locations across the city.
The company became the first Texas-based chain to expand nationally in 1968, with 44 restaurants operating in and outside the state. It expanded into Canada in the 1970s.
Church's Chicken continues to operate in 27 countries and, on April 10, 2022, celebrated the company's 70th anniversary. To mark the occasion, District 1 City Councilmember Mario Bravo and staff from the Office of Historic Preservation and Church's Chicken helped members of the Church family unveil the city's first History Here marker across the street from that first Church's Fried Chicken-To-Go stand.
The Untold Truth Of Church's Chicken
MashedAugust 2023
While many of the offerings at Church's Chicken are comparable to their competitors - biscuits, mashed potatoes, family meals - they've managed to create a devoted fan base and expand not just from coast to coast in the U.S., but around the world. According to My San Antonio, Church's Chicken has grown from its humble Texas beginnings to include some 1,660 locations scattered throughout 30 countries around the globe.From their early beginnings in the heart of Texas to popular side items and troubling urban myths, this is the story of Church's Chicken.
The first Church's Chicken was located across the street from an American landmark
The famous chicken chain was founded across the street from an American landmark that played a vital part in the history of Texas. We're talking, of course, about the Alamo.According to My San Antonio, the restaurant's founder, George W. Church, opened the first Church's Chicken in Alamo Plaza in 1952. The first restaurant didn't even have a dining room and patrons would walk right up to the window where they could get two pieces of fried chicken and a roll for just 49 cents. The restaurant wasn't much more than a small shack, but it obviously made an impact on San Antonians, and in just 10 years, Church's had expanded to eight locations in the city.
Church's Chicken expanded into neighborhoods KFC wasn't interested in
According to San Antonio Express-News, while Kentucky Fried Chicken may have been building a fried chicken empire across the USA, they were pretty picky about where they put their new restaurants. KFC wasn't opening locations up in low-income urban neighborhoods. This is where Church's Chicken saw an opportunity and the growing restaurant business began moving into neighborhoods that KFC wasn't interested in.This would prove to be a successful expansion plan for Church's and while they had just eight locations in 1962, by the end of the decade they had over 100 restaurants in seven states.
It's not known as Church's Chicken in other countries
You can find Church's Chicken locations throughout the United States, but go to any other country in the world, and you'll have a hard time finding one. We're not saying that you can't get your favorite Church's Chicken combo platter, it just won't be offered at a restaurant with "Church's" on the building. That's because outside of the U.S., it's not Church's Chicken - it's Texas Chicken.Church's Chicken has been confused for being an actual church
Despite "church" being part of the name, Church's Chicken is not a church and has no affiliation with any churches. It's merely the last name of the restaurant's founder. While the company has gone to great lengths to avoid this sort of confusion in the international market, it hasn't been 100 percent foolproof.Some Church's Chicken locations feature White Castle
You might be surprised to know there's a Church's Chicken mascot
Church's Chicken used to sponsor chess tournaments
Some Church's Chicken locations have abruptly closed
It was once part of a fried chicken power couple
Popeyes and Church's might seem like they'd be sworn enemies, but in 1989, they united their fried chicken powers as one (via Red Lion Data). While the two restaurants operated separately, they were theoretically the second largest fried chicken chain - after KFC - in the United States. According to a 1989 UPI article, Popeyes owner Al Copeland went back and forth with Church's before an agreement was reached for a buyout of the chicken chain for $395.4 million. The two chicken chains had combined sales the previous year of $1 billion and while that might sound like a lot, it was still nothing compared to the powerhouse sales of KFC's $4.9 billion.The Popeyes and Church's partnership lasted for 15 years, but eventually, all good things come to a finger-lickin' end, and in 2004, the chicken brand's parent company, AFC Enterprises, Inc., sold Church's Chicken to a venture capital firm.
Church's Chicken is known for its jalapenos
Head over to the menu page of the Church's Chicken website and you'll see a lot of the typical sides you might find at any fast food fried chicken joint: mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, coleslaw, etc. The one item that stands out from the norm, though, is the jalapenos. While Church's does offer fried jalapenos stuffed with cheese, pickled jalapenos are the classic Church's Chicken side dish.The jalapeno peppers have been on the menu at Church's Chicken from the beginning and according to the company's vice president of brand strategy, Jennifer Chasteen, are a nod to the brand's Texas roots (via QSR Magazine). Chasteen said the peppers are the "original" side item and the proper way to enjoy them is by "squeezing jalapeno juice" over the fried chicken for a kick of heat.
Church's Chicken takes its jalapenos pretty seriously, too. The company's supply chain vice president reportedly took a trip down to Mexico to visit jalapeno farms and negotiate pricing for 80,000 cases of the peppers per year (via Supply Chain Dive).
Church's Chicken tried to get into the burger business
14 Most Popular Church's Chicken Menu Items
Restaurant ClicksOctober 2023
Church's Chicken may be a globally recognized name today, but it certainly didn't start out that way. In fact, the company quite literally started from scratch when George W. Church opened the first Church's Chicken over 70 years ago. Today, Church's Chicken has served over one billion people. Its biggest success factor is hands-down the commitment to flavor, as the restaurant offers several menu options that I would vouch for any day. The down-home flavor is available seven days a week now with a menu that includes convenient combos, large family meals, and sides and sweets that are to die for.Let's check out some of the best Church's Chicken menu items!
- Chicken Sandwich
It's in the name: Church's Chicken is a restaurant that's famous for its chicken. So, I simply had to start with the original chicken sandwich. With so many chicken sandwiches in the fast-food industry today, it can be tough to pick a favorite. But this one ranks high on my list. The sandwich features Church's legendary hand-battered chicken. It's topped with the company's signature honey-butter brushed brioche bun and complemented with mayo and pickles. Just talking about it makes my mouth water. And if you're looking for an extra kick, you can opt for the spicy chicken sandwich. This upgrade adds spicy mayo along with a jalapeno on the side to really take your taste buds for a ride.- Apple Pie
- Baked Mac & Cheese
- Cole Slaw
- Fries
- Jalapeno Cheese Bombers
- Jalapeno Peppers
Did you know that at Church's, you can order just a simple side of jalapenos to go with any meal? It may seem odd to us, but the restaurant and its guests have been doing this from the very start. It's an oldie but goodie on the menu. Order a side of jalapeno peppers and that's exactly what you'll get: five juicy peppers served with your meal. One trick that frequent eaters love is to squeeze the pepper juice on their chicken or sandwiches. It gives the meal a little extra kick and an added crunch at the end.- Mashed Potatoes
- Spicy Chicken Sandwich
- Butterfly Shrimp
- Honey-Butter Biscuits
According to Church's website, the restaurant sells millions of biscuits every year. I think my orders account for about half of that number alone because I just can't get enough of these sweet, sweet biscuits. Just like the chicken sandwich's brioche bun, Church's biscuits come slathered in irresistible honey butter. Each restaurant makes its biscuits daily in small batches, so they're always warm and they're always fresh. I would go to Church's just to order the biscuits. I never have, but I'm sure they'd understand if I did. If you decide to stop by, you can't leave without ordering at least one of these melt-in-your-mouth biscuits.- Original Chicken Breast
- Small Green Beans
- Texas Tender
Weird Texas: Church's Chicken is known as Texas Chicken in other countries
Houston ChronicleJune 2017
Church's Chicken has a slightly different name outside the Americas. Texans will be happy to know our fried chicken knows no borders. In countries as varied as Belarus, Egypt, Indonesia, and New Zealand, Church's is known as Texas Chicken. The logo doesn't look much different and the menu does differ depending on the market.Back in 2015 the Munchies food blog, a Vice creation, reported on the brand name difference when a consumer noticed the "Church's" name on a prepackaged item. Texas Chicken Malaysia explained to a worried consumer that they were not affiliated with any religion and that the name was the founder's surname. They also needed to quell worries that the food was not halal.
Founder George W. Church Sr. opened his first chicken stand in 1952 in downtown San Antonio. One of the first groundbreaking moves the chain made was making jalapenos a side item. By the next decade there were over 100 location across seven states.
However, brand names don't always translate overseas. Customers in the United States don't equate Church's with holy rollers frying chicken and slinging honey-butter biscuits and mashed potatoes, although the eatery is a popular after-church choice for many.
It's just a name to American consumers. The brand name Texas Chicken, though, does have a hearty and somewhat-wholesome connotation overseas, evoking cowboys and roughnecks chowing down on chicken and sides after a long day at work.
The first Texas Chicken opened its doors in Indonesia in the 1980s. Menus vary in other countries. Texas Chicken in Malaysia serves chicken burgers and a variety of desserts.
The Rich History Behind San Antonio-born Church's Chicken
BeaumontenterpriseDecember 2021
It's no secret that San Antonio loves fried chicken (and fried chicken sandwiches). But for locals who know the San Antonio roots of Church's Chicken, it may be the most beloved chain of all.The Beginning
Church's Chicken first swooped into San Antonio when Church's Fried Chicken To-Go opened in Alamo Plaza in 1952. The chain was founded by George W. Church Sr., a retired chicken incubator salesman.The fried chicken visionary's concept was inspired by the fast-moving and changing lifestyles in a post-World War II reality. Church even thought of putting the fryers next to the counter windows so customers could see the food being prepared while waiting for their order.
In the early days of the company, customers could snag two pieces of fried chicken and a roll for just 49 cents. Church's eventually expanded its menu, adding french fries and jalapenos three years later.
The Good
Church's growth wasn't just limited to its menu. In 1956, just four years after the first location opened, Church's Fried Chicken had four locations in San Antonio. By 1967, the chain had restaurants in five other Texas cities and would later become the first Texas-based chain to go national. The chain's growth was also fast.After the company went public in 1969, Church's had locations in seven states by the end of the year. Part of the secret to the chain's early success was in Church's decision to open restaurants in low-income, urban areas where KFC didn't have locations.
The Not-So-Good
But with the highs of the chain's performance came the lows – and even the bizarre. Church's had a short-lived burger chain, G.W. Jr's, which permanently closed in 1985 despite being popular in Texas. Around that same time, an urban legend about the chain gained popularity, having people believe that Church's was owned by the KKK. On a related note, there was also a rumor that Church's used ingredients that made Black men infertile.And Everything Since Then
In the late 1980s, Church's Chicken was bought out by Popeyes and Copeland Enterprises. Not long after, in 1992, the latter company was bankrupt, causing America's Favorite Chicken Company (yes, that's the name) to be created to oversee both Church's and Popeyes with a headquarters in Atlanta. We wonder who the favorite child was (Team Church's).The Now
Since then, Church's has been purchased by various companies. In 2021, the chain announced that it was acquired by High Bluff Capital Partners, an investment firm. Today, there are more than 900 Church's Chicken locations in the U.S. as well as outposts in Asia, Australia, Africa, and Europe. Internationally, the chain is marketed as Texas Chicken.
Logopedia:
Church's Texas Chicken (United States)
They were the first in fried chicken to go.
