June 11, 2026 // Franchising.com // Conway, AR — Arkansas, prepare to meet the Filet Mignon of Chicken®! The first of six statewide locations of Huey Magoo's, the fast-casual chain known for its premium, handcrafted chicken tenders, is under development in Conway. Area franchisee Dennis Porter, along with Sander Wood and Lawton Summerlin, will further expand the brand into Northwest Arkansas through restaurants planned for Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, and Fayetteville.
With deep experience owning and operating numerous Sonic Drive-ins in Arkansas and Florida under Porter’s leadership, the team was looking to expand its multi-unit restaurant portfolio. While traveling the country exploring concepts and connecting with brand leadership, Huey Magoo’s quickly emerged as the ideal option, with its focused menu, intentional expansion strategy, and authentic partnership model. Porter, Wood, and Summerlin are confident that their extensive hands-on management, real estate, team development, and execution experience will drive success for their restaurant locations.
“I’ve explored countless brands throughout my 40-plus years in the restaurant industry and with Huey Magoo’s, it’s chicken, it’s simple - but everything we tried was excellent and the team’s genuine approach truly resonated with us,” said Porter. “We are so excited to introduce Conway and Northwest Arkansas to the Filet Mignon of Chicken® and know it will quickly become a statewide favorite.”
The first restaurant will begin construction in Conway in late summer and will be among the first Huey Magoo’s locations to utilize the brand’s new standalone drive-through format, which can accommodate seating for up to 37 guests indoors plus 18 on the patio and has a dedicated drive-thru lane to simplify car-based orders. The building will feature a pitched roofline complemented by wood siding and accents and ample windows, completing the look of a modern, bright farmhouse (see prototype image here).
“Huey Magoo’s had successfully extended its footprint west across Missouri and Mississippi, with Arkansas next on the horizon, and we couldn’t have picked a more capable and enthusiastic team to launch our handcrafted chicken tenders in our next new state,” said Andy Howard, President and CEO of Huey Magoo's.
With its 100th location opening later this year, Huey Magoo's is expanding steadily across the country to meet the demand for premium, handcrafted chicken tenders made fresh using only the tenderloin, the best 3% of the chicken. The menu includes a variety of ways to enjoy the Filet Mignon of Chicken®, including the signature chicken tenders and Tender Bites, prepared either hand-breaded or grilled with a secret seasoning blend with sauces and sides to complete a meal or as part of a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Seasonal specials, a refreshing lineup of teas and handcrafted lemonades, and Magoo’s Rewards help turn new guests into regulars.
ABOUT HUEY MAGOO'S
Huey Magoo's is known for its uncompromising commitment to quality, serving premium, handcrafted chicken tenders made from the best 3 percent of the chicken—the tenderloin—for unmatched taste and texture.
Guests can customize their experience with tender meals, fresh-made salads, sandwiches, wraps and 10 signature sauces. House-made specialties include hand-spun chips, freshly prepared coleslaw, banana pudding, and signature sauces like Magoo's, Spicy Magoo's and Ranch.
Founded in 2004, Huey Magoo's is one of the fastest-growing fast-casual brands, earning multiple awards for its bold flavors and quality, most recently earning a spot on Fast Casual's 2026 Top 100 Movers + Shakers list. With locations in 12 states and growing, Huey Magoo's continues to bring premium ingredients and exceptional hospitality nationwide. Guests can order through Huey Magoo's mobile app for easy pickup, delivery and rewards tracking. For more information, visit HueyMagoos.com.
Qualified candidates interested in bringing Huey Magoo's to their community can learn more about franchising opportunities at HueyMagoos.com/franchising.
SOURCE Huey Magoo's
Huey Magoo’s stands out in the crowded chicken category with premium tenders, a focused menu and flexible restaurant formats. Experienced operators: bring The Filet Mignon of Chicken® to your market and grow with Huey Magoo’s.