1851

<a href="https://www.southernclassicchicken.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Southern Classic Chicken</a> has been delighting customers across the American South with its delectable comfort food since 1989. Now, in an era where there are plenty of QSR chicken franchises to choose from, the brand continues to stand out and win over customers with its deceptively simple approach: offering homestyle fried chicken and sides, a gimmick-free menu and a price point that provides an incredible value. While Southern Classic Chicken makes this approach look easy, it is actually a result of nearly 40 years of listening to its loyal customers and putting in the hard work."My father Leon started this concept in the backyard, frying chicken and letting neighbors taste it,” said Alex Fanning, one of the second-generation members of the founding family who still leads the Southern Classic Chicken brand today. “That is how it all started. That recipe — marinated for no less than 24 hours —&nbsp;is still the same one we use today, and that is why we have so many fans of the brand.”When Southern Classic Chicken was first introduced in the Shreveport, Louisiana area, the founders wanted it to be based on four things: quality, the absolute best fried chicken, classic southern sides and cajun seasoned french fries. And, much like its no-frills menu, they wanted to keep the model simple. So they did it by using drive-thrus and walk-up windows. The concept quickly proved to resonate with customers and became a staple in the community.&nbsp;For those not near one of the brand’s 17 locations across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, not to worry. Southern Classic Chicken is bringing its delicious, high-quality menu to more places around the United States through franchising.&nbsp;<h3>A Chicken Restaurant Founded on Family</h3>In 1989, Southern Classic Chicken was started by Leon Fanning, who first entered the industry with another fried chicken concept in the 1970’s. Leon then connected with his brother Howard Fanning, as well as his son Brandon Fanning, to continue that family legacy, and transitioned their business to what became Southern Classic Chicken.&nbsp;Today, Southern Classic Chicken has remained a beloved family business for more than three decades. The brand continues to be a family-run business and is in its second generation of ownership, with Howard and Leon’s sons,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-fanning-a91412200?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Alan</a>, Brandon and Alex, leading the business.&nbsp;“Myself, my two cousins, my uncle and my father are all in this,” said Alan. “We’ve learned a lot over the years and, as part of this family and business, I’ve been around chicken all my life. I’m just a very small part of this organization. We all work great together, have the same mindset and treat our employees like family.”&nbsp;With family at the center of the business, Southern Classic Chicken customers and employees are treated like part of the family. Just ask the many Team Members who have been with the company over 20 years or more.&nbsp;"Not only do we get to work with family, but we also get to create another family by working at the restaurant,” said Alex. “They have become part of the family. That really helps grow the business in the long run.”<h3>The Southern Classic Chicken Menu: Simple, Delicious and Quick</h3>The menu at Southern Classic Chicken is simple: homestyle fried chicken made with a proprietary marinade complemented by high-quality side offerings inspired by its rich, southern history. Customers have fallen in love with the brand’s fried chicken and value pricing, with the average meal ranging from $8.00-12.00. So much so that the brand continually gets ranked number one best fried chicken in the&nbsp;<a href="https://localsloveus.com/shreveport-bossier/category/66/chicken/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">communities they serve</a>.&nbsp;“From the very first day, my uncle said he wanted to ‘do chicken and do it right,’” said Alan. “That’s the way it started and the way it was always intended. We want our product to be just right. We’re a fried chicken business that specializes in traditional Louisiana-style fried chicken and quality, classic southern sides. Our promise is to give communities the experience and value that builds trust and goodwill today and for generations to come. We do fried chicken, and we do it well.”Since day one, the company has focused on sourcing the highest quality ingredients possible to provide the “absolute best” to its customers at a better price point and greater value than competitors.&nbsp;After starting with fried chicken and fries,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southernclassicchicken.com/menu?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">the menu</a> has expanded a bit since opening. But the quality hasn’t wavered. Customers can choose from chicken meal combos and value dinners, as well as family boxes. Side orders include classic comfort food options such as Cajun Rice, Cole Slaw, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Red Beans and Rice, and Sweet Corn Grits. There are also a variety of dipping sauces to choose from including the brand’s addictive and beloved Classic Sauce, Ranch, Honey Mustard, Buffalo, BBQ and White Gravy.&nbsp;The “keep it simple” mindset isn’t something that the brand plans on changing, even as it continues to expand.&nbsp;<h3>The Brand Innovating with the Drive-Thru and Walk-Up Model</h3>And it's not just the food that helps Southern Classic Chicken stand out — it's also the restaurant experience. While many restaurant chains nationwide had to adapt to changing consumer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, Southern Classic Chicken has always maintained a distinct drive-thru model with a walk-up window designed to get customers through the line quickly and efficiently.&nbsp;“People love it,” said Alan. “[Walk-up windows] are like having a second drive-thru. We have some sit downs now, but we move faster in our drive-thru and walk-up locations. The pandemic was really a test for us more than anything else. No one is pandemic-proof, but we made it through that time successfully. Now, we are ahead of the curve with a restaurant experience everyone wants.”As Southern Classic Chicken continues to open around the United States, keep an eye out for a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southernclassicchicken.com/locations?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">location</a> near you.The total investment necessary to open a Southern Classic Chicken franchise ranges between $777,500-$1,235,500 (assuming leased real property), including a $40,000 initial franchise fee. Average Gross Revenues at the reporting Southern Classic Chicken restaurants for the calendar year of 2022 were $2,673,102.&nbsp;To learn more, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southernclassicchicken.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken-2723477" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.southernclassicchicken.com/franchising</a>

Southern Classic Chicken: The 35-Year-Old Fast Casual Chicken Franchise Ready to Take America by Storm with Its No-Frills Fried Chicken

1851 Franchise

With a beloved menu, a streamlined off-premise model and a family-driven brand, this QSR franchise has been winning fans with a refreshingly “classic” approach to America’s favorite food: fried chicken. 


This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

southern-classic-chicken-the-35-year-old-fast-casual-chicken-franchise-ready-to-take-america-by-storm-with-its-no-frills-fried-chicken

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Midyear Press Release 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Comfort Keepers® Hits Mid-Year Stride With Strong Franchise Growth and Rising Demand for In-Home Care

comfort-keepers-franchise-midyear-momentum-2025

petbar

petbar - Garrett Dewan - Why I'm Investing - 1851 Franchise

Why Garrett Dewan Is Choosing To Reinvest in petbar

petbar-franchise-austin-garrett-dewan-multi-unit

Paris Baguette

NJBIZ: Paris Baguette Ramps Up Expansion With New Franchises, Facility and 2030 Growth Target

njbiz-paris-baguette-ramps-up-expansion-with-new-franchises-facility-and-2030-growth-target

Busy Bee Jumpers

Top 10 Reasons To Buy a Busy Bee Jumpers Franchise in 2025

top-10-reasons-to-buy-a-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-in-2025

Home Halo

home-halo-former-athletes-frachisees-image

Why Former College Athletes Can Make Winning Home Halo Franchise Owners

former-college-athletes-home-halo-franchise

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Wendy's CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down - Breaking News - 1851 Franchise

Wendy’s CEO Kirk Tanner Steps Down Amid Challenges, Leaving Franchisees Facing Uncertainty

wendys-ceo-transition-kirk-tanner-franchisee-uncertainty

"Come in, We're OPEN" sign against abstract background

Small Business Optimism Dips, Raising Concerns for Franchise Owners

small-business-optimism-dips-raising-concerns-for-franchise-owners

Photo of Roof Scientist truck and trailer

Roof Scientist Expands Into Northern Indianapolis as Entrepreneur Dale Speckman Launches New Business in Fishers

roof-scientist-expands-into-northern-indianapolis

Image of Donald Trump pointing with red stripes in the background

August 1 Tariff Deadline Is Said to Have ‘No Extensions’: What This Could Mean for Franchises

august-1-tariff-deadline-franchise-impact

What June’s Jobs Report Means for the Franchise Industry

what-junes-jobs-report-means-for-the-franchise-industry

Unlocking Superpowers: How KidStrong Is Building the Next Generation of Confident Kids — and Thriving Franchise Owners

kidstrong-franchise-confident-kids

Image of a kid growing up, developing with kidstrong, high fiving and smiling. 

How KidStrong has Become the Franchise Disrupting Child Development by Partnering with Purpose-Driven Franchise Owners 

kidstrong-franchise-opportunity-child-development

Picture of kids for franchise business Kidstrong which focuses on child development and fitness

KidStrong Is Pediatrician-Recommended for Raising Confident, Capable Kids and Families Can't Get Enough

kidstrong-child-development-program

Bringing Robots to Main Street: How Elad Inbar’s RobotLAB Franchise Is Powering the Local AI Revolution

bringing-robots-to-main-street-how-elad-inbars-robotlab-franchise-is-powering-the-local-ai-revolution

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery 

From Prescriptions to Pastries: Kari Khandelwal Creates a Comforting Community Bakery in Overland Park, Kansas

paris-baguette-franchise-overland-park-khandelwal

Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

From Corporate Careers to Community Roots: Kansas Couple Revitalizes Local Childcare With Children’s Lighthouse

kansas-couple-opens-childrens-lighthouse-gardner-olathe

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ricki Oberoi and Layne's Chicken Fingers logo

Southern Classic Chicken: The 35-Year-Old Fast Casual Chicken Franchise Ready to Take America by Storm with Its No-Frills Fried Chicken

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS