Two More Chicken Restaurant Chains Have Big Plans For The Valley

SCOTTSDALE, AZ —If you fancy dining out for chicken in a restaurant that is both fast and casual, you may soon have several more options in the Valley.

Two fast-casual chicken franchises —Birdcall and Daddy's Chicken Shack — have announced plans to enter the Phoenix market with several restaurants. They join the Shaquille O'Neal-owned Big Chicken, another restaurant in the space with ambitious plans for the area.

Birdcall is a Colorado-based restaurant chain that earlier this year announced plans to not only enter the Arizona market, but to open 10 restaurants in the Phoenix metro area in the next three years.

The area's first Birdcall restaurant is scheduled to open in Scottsdale, 7204 E. Shea Blvd., in April, though a specific opening date has not yet been announced.

The restaurant said it features all-natural ingredients, superior service, innovative art and design and cutting-edge technology. Birdcall, which was founded in 2016, also donates 1 percent of sales back to local communities.

"We're trying to change the way that people look at fast food," said Peter Newlin, Birdcall co-founder and chief executive officer. "We've incorporated cutting-edge technology to deliver delicious natural foods and beverages quickly, without sacrificing quality. Our customers appreciate the fact that they can either grab a meal to-go or dine in with family and friends in a casual, hip setting that conveniently works around their schedules and any time constraints."

The Birdcall menu features 100-percent all-natural chicken sandwiches, crispy tenders, gluten-and-dairy-free chicken nuggets, and fresh, nutritious salads and organic beverages. Vegetarian options also are available.

Sandwiches in Phoenix-area stores will be served on fresh buns sourced from Noble Bakery, a local Phoenix artisan bakery.

Birdcall's drink selection in the Phoenix area will feature house-made margaritas and beers from local breweries, such as SanTan Brewing Company and Greenwood Brewing, according to the restaurant's management.

Meanwhile, Pasadena, California-based Daddy's Chicken Shack last month inked a regional development deal with Dave Liniger, founder of real estate giant Re/Max. The deal covers franchise expansion in the Denver and Phoenix markets.

According to a press release, the agreement includes 20 locations, 10 in each metro area, with the local focus being on the eastern part of the Phoenix market, including Scottsdale.

Liniger's company, Area 15 Franchising, LLC, is now actively marketing the franchise opportunity to interested and qualified individuals and groups, according to the release.

Daddy's Chicken Shack said it features a chef-driven menu and highly advanced, tech-enabled operations.

The restaurant was started by the husband and wife team of Chris Georgalas and Pace Webb, the latter is a popular chef who has appeared on several well-known television programs.

"(Webb) has perfected a flavor profile unlike any other, that blends her own Southern U.S. roots with tastes from Georgalas' Japanese heritage," according to a press release. "The flavors are perfectly paired with buttermilk, then double-battered to a crispy finish.

"The result is a (Daddy's Chicken Shack) menu filled with sandwiches, bowls and sides capturing cult-like fanfare in its Southern California home market and soon well beyond."