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{{Infobox company
chicken is good stuff
| logo = [[Image:Churchslogo.svg]]
| foundation = April 17, 1952
| type = Private
| slogan = You Bring It Home
| founder = [[George W. Church, Sr.]]
| location = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], [[United States]]
| locations = 1,700+
| key_people = Joseph Christina, CEO
| industry = Food
| caption =
| owner = [[Friedman Fleischer & Lowe]]
| products = [[Fast food]], including [[fried chicken]], [[french fries]], and [[biscuits]]
| homepage = [http://www.churchs.com churchs.com]
}}

'''Church's Chicken''' is a U.S.-based chain of [[fast food]] restaurants specializing in [[fried chicken]], also trading outside North America and Asia as '''Texas Chicken'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prlog.org/10115853-texas-chicken-enters-india-with-its-first-outlet-in-hyderabad.html|title=Texas Chicken enters India with its first outlet in Hyderabad|work=prlog.org|accessdate=4 November 2015}}</ref> The chain was founded as '''Church's Fried Chicken To Go''' by [[George W. Church, Sr.]], on April 17, 1952, in [[San Antonio|San Antonio, Texas]], across the street from [[Alamo Mission in San Antonio|The Alamo]].

The company, with more than 1700 locations in 25 countries, is the fourth-largest chicken restaurant chain behind [[KFC]], [[Chick-fil-A]], and [[Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen]].<ref name="Official history" />

==History==
{{expand section|More info before 1980s|date=January 2014}}
[[Image:Church's Chicken restaurant Detroit Michigan.JPG|thumb|250px|left|Church's Chicken [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]]]
Initially, the restaurant only sold chicken, but added fries and jalapeños in 1955.<ref name="Official history" /> The company had four restaurants by the time of Church's death in 1956. In the 1980s, the chain briefly operated a hamburger franchise called G. W. Jrs in Texas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/church-s-chicken-history/ |title=Church's Chicken History |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |date= |website=fundinguniverse.com |publisher= |accessdate=July 17, 2014}}</ref>

From 1979 through 1986, Church's Chicken sponsored the "Grand Prix" series of chess tournaments under the auspices of the [[United States Chess Federation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.uschess.org/news/press/uspr0514.php/ |title=US Chess Federation |accessdate=December 31, 2014}}</ref>

Rapid growth followed, and Church's became the second-largest chicken restaurant chain in 1989, when it merged with [[Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits]].<ref name="Official history">{{cite web|title=History of Church's Chicken|url=http://www.churchs.com/company-history.html}} at official website</ref> The brands had their supply lines consolidated, but were still marketed as separate chains. [[Hala Moddelmog]] was appointed as [[president]] of Church's Chicken in 1996, making her the first female president of a fast-food restaurant chain.

Church's was owned by [[AFC Enterprises]], along with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and [[Cinnabon]], through the end of 2004, when it was sold to [[Arcapita]] (formerly Crescent Capital Investments). Because Arcapita is an [[Islam]]ic [[venture capital]] firm, [[pork]] products were removed from the menu after the sale (as pork is not [[halal]]) in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amonline.com/web/online/VendingMarketWatch-News/AFC-Enterprises-Inc--franchisor-of-Popeyes--Churchs-Chicken-and-Cinnabon--reports-improved-results-for-the-fourth-quarter/1$11735|title=AFC Enterprises Inc., franchisor of Popeyes, Church's Chicken; and Cinnabon, reports improved results for the fourth quarter |date=2003-12-16|publisher=amonline.com|accessdate=2009-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://frontpagemagazine.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=B4D7EA5D-074C-4D34-AB04-71E9354504CB |title=Outlawing the Pig |last=Janet |first=Levy |date=2008-05-02 |publisher=frontpagemagazine.com |accessdate=2009-02-03 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206185448/http://frontpagemagazine.com:80/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=B4D7EA5D-074C-4D34-AB04-71E9354504CB |archivedate=2008-12-06 |df= }}</ref> Also, American Church's Chicken restaurants switched beverage products to [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]] (some locations serving Coke products and [[Dr Pepper]]), while still retaining the [[PepsiCo|Pepsi]] contract in [[Canada]].
[[File:texastbilisi.jpg|thumb|200px|Texas Chicken In Tbilisi]]
On August 10, 2009, [[San Francisco]] [[private equity]] firm [[Friedman Fleischer & Lowe]] bought Church's Chicken from Arcapita.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/othercities/sanantonio/stories/2009/08/10/daily4.html |title=Church's Chicken sold to private equity firm |accessdate=9 September 2016 |date=10 August 2009 |publisher=American City Business Journals |newspaper=San Antonio Business Journal |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025230012/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2009/08/10/daily4.html |archivedate=25 October 2012 |deadurl=yes |df= }} </ref>

In some areas, Church's is co-franchised with the [[White Castle (restaurant)|White Castle]] [[hamburger]] chain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5553/is_/ai_n22324638|title=White Castle, Church's Chicken to Share Restaurant Sites|last=Gramig|first=Mickey H.|date=November 2006|publisher=''Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News''|accessdate=2009-02-03}} </ref> In [[Canada]], Church's Chicken items were once available in [[Harvey's]] restaurants, but the co-venture was discontinued.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lorinc |first=John |date=1995 |title=Opportunity knocks: the truth about Canada's franchise industry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ycCGvqhBubkC&q=%22church%27s+chicken%22+%22harvey%27s%22&dq=%22church%27s+chicken%22+%22harvey%27s%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4NPpUrjuA-imyQHb14DoAg&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ |location= |publisher=Prentice Hall |page= |isbn=0-13-455693-3 |accessdate=July 17, 2014 }}</ref>

To date, Church's Chicken has over 1,660 locations in 30 countries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linkedin.com/company/church's-chicken |title=Church's Chicken |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date= |website=linkedin.com |publisher= |accessdate=2014-07-17}}</ref> There are locations in [[Belarus]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Canada]], [[Curaçao]], [[Egypt]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] ([[Tbilisi]]), [[Guyana]], [[Honduras]], [[Indonesia]], [[Iraq]], [[Jordan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kuwait]], [[Laos]] ([[Vientiane]]), [[Malaysia]], [[Mexico]], [[New Zealand]], [[Russia]], [[St. Kitts]], [[Saint Lucia]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Singapore]], [[Syria]], [[Thailand]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Turkey]], [[Ukraine]], the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Venezuela]], [[Vietnam]] and [[Puerto Rico]].

The menu for Church's has expanded to include fried [[okra]], cole slaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and honey butter biscuits. Also, newer entree choices have emerged, including, sandwiches, nuggets, tacos and a spicy flavor option for the chicken.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.churchs.com/menu.php/ |title=Church's Chicken |accessdate=2014-12-31 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101031738/http://www.churchs.com/menu.php/ |archivedate=2015-01-01 |df= }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of fast-food chicken restaurants]]
* {{portal-inline|Food}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Church's Chicken}}
* {{Official website|http://www.churchs.com}}
* [http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Churchs-Chicken-Company-History.html Company history]
* [http://www.churchs.com/locator.php Church's Chickens Locator]
{{Establishments serving chicken}}
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}

[[Category:Restaurants in Texas]]
[[Category:Restaurants in San Antonio]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
[[Category:Chicken chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies based in Sandy Springs, Georgia]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1952]]
[[Category:1952 establishments in Texas]]

Revision as of 14:44, 14 March 2017

Church's Texas Chicken
Company typePrivate
IndustryFood
FoundedApril 17, 1952
FounderGeorge W. Church, Sr.
HeadquartersAtlanta, Georgia, United States
Number of locations
1,700+
Key people
Joseph Christina, CEO
ProductsFast food, including fried chicken, french fries, and biscuits
OwnerFriedman Fleischer & Lowe
Websitechurchs.com

Church's Chicken is a U.S.-based chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken, also trading outside North America and Asia as Texas Chicken.[1] The chain was founded as Church's Fried Chicken To Go by George W. Church, Sr., on April 17, 1952, in San Antonio, Texas, across the street from The Alamo.

The company, with more than 1700 locations in 25 countries, is the fourth-largest chicken restaurant chain behind KFC, Chick-fil-A, and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen.[2]

History

Church's Chicken Detroit

Initially, the restaurant only sold chicken, but added fries and jalapeños in 1955.[2] The company had four restaurants by the time of Church's death in 1956. In the 1980s, the chain briefly operated a hamburger franchise called G. W. Jrs in Texas.[3]

From 1979 through 1986, Church's Chicken sponsored the "Grand Prix" series of chess tournaments under the auspices of the United States Chess Federation.[4]

Rapid growth followed, and Church's became the second-largest chicken restaurant chain in 1989, when it merged with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits.[2] The brands had their supply lines consolidated, but were still marketed as separate chains. Hala Moddelmog was appointed as president of Church's Chicken in 1996, making her the first female president of a fast-food restaurant chain.

Church's was owned by AFC Enterprises, along with Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits and Cinnabon, through the end of 2004, when it was sold to Arcapita (formerly Crescent Capital Investments). Because Arcapita is an Islamic venture capital firm, pork products were removed from the menu after the sale (as pork is not halal) in 2005.[5][6] Also, American Church's Chicken restaurants switched beverage products to Coca-Cola (some locations serving Coke products and Dr Pepper), while still retaining the Pepsi contract in Canada.

Texas Chicken In Tbilisi

On August 10, 2009, San Francisco private equity firm Friedman Fleischer & Lowe bought Church's Chicken from Arcapita.[7]

In some areas, Church's is co-franchised with the White Castle hamburger chain.[8] In Canada, Church's Chicken items were once available in Harvey's restaurants, but the co-venture was discontinued.[9]

To date, Church's Chicken has over 1,660 locations in 30 countries.[10] There are locations in Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Curaçao, Egypt, Georgia (Tbilisi), Guyana, Honduras, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos (Vientiane), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, St. Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam and Puerto Rico.

The menu for Church's has expanded to include fried okra, cole slaw, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob and honey butter biscuits. Also, newer entree choices have emerged, including, sandwiches, nuggets, tacos and a spicy flavor option for the chicken.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Texas Chicken enters India with its first outlet in Hyderabad". prlog.org. Retrieved 4 November 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "History of Church's Chicken". at official website
  3. ^ "Church's Chicken History". fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  4. ^ "US Chess Federation". Retrieved December 31, 2014.
  5. ^ "AFC Enterprises Inc., franchisor of Popeyes, Church's Chicken; and Cinnabon, reports improved results for the fourth quarter". amonline.com. 2003-12-16. Retrieved 2009-02-03.
  6. ^ Janet, Levy (2008-05-02). "Outlawing the Pig". frontpagemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2009-02-03. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Church's Chicken sold to private equity firm". San Antonio Business Journal. American City Business Journals. 10 August 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 9 September 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Gramig, Mickey H. (November 2006). "White Castle, Church's Chicken to Share Restaurant Sites". Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News. Retrieved 2009-02-03. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Lorinc, John (1995). Opportunity knocks: the truth about Canada's franchise industry. Prentice Hall. ISBN 0-13-455693-3. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Church's Chicken". linkedin.com. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  11. ^ "Church's Chicken". Archived from the original on 2015-01-01. Retrieved 2014-12-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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