Chicken-N-Spice Closes Orland Spot Ahead Of New Lenox Arrival

NEW LENOX, IL — Is it finally happening?!

Get your chicken dance ready, New Lenox. Chicken-N-Spice is preparing to add its name to the roster of fast food fried chicken spots in town.

The small fried chicken chain with origins in Joliet announced Thursday that it had shuttered its Orland Hills location, and will pop back on the map in New Lenox in spring 2024. Mayor Tim Baldermann said the owners have submitted their plans and hope to be open by then.

"Chicken-N-Spice Orland is permanently closed," restaurant staff shared on social media. "We would like to thank you for the wonderful 5 years in Orland Hills. We will be relocating to New Lenox Spring 2024. Look for us there or visit our Chicken-N-Spice Shorewood location."

The restaurant is slotted for space between Taco Bell and BMO Harris Bank, to be located at 400 W Lincoln Hwy. The sign announcing its pending arrival has stood on the parcel for two years, often the subject of social media chatter, wondering just when they'll arrive on the scene.

Village officials first said it would be coming to town in November 2021, with initial estimates at opening set for summer 2022.

Chicken-N-Spice will mark the third recent chicken chain addition, behind both Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen, 1725 E Lincoln Hwy, and Raising Cane's, 552 E Lincoln Hwy.

Chicken-N-Spice currently operates a Shorewood location, at 150 Brook Forest Ave Unit A.