Huey Magoo’s Accelerates 2026 Growth With 60 New Restaurants Awarded

Eight new franchise groups join growing premium chicken tender brand with 92 open restaurants across 13 states

August 14, 2026 // Franchising.com // Orlando, FL - Huey Magoo’s, the rapidly expanding chicken tender restaurant brand known as “The Filet Mignon of Chicken®,” is celebrating significant franchise development momentum in 2026, awarding development rights for 60 new restaurants to eight franchise groups across key markets throughout the United States.

The agreements extend Huey Magoo’s footprint across eight states, with restaurants planned throughout Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia. These new development commitments plant the brand in emerging markets while also giving operators room to grow in established regions. Together with the restaurants opening this year, the commitments bring Huey Magoo’s total pipeline to more than 200+ restaurants in various stages of development nationwide.

Huey Magoo’s currently operates 92 restaurants across 13 states and expects to reach approximately 100 open locations by the end of 2026.

The newly awarded development deals include:

• 15 restaurants in Houston, Texas
• Eight restaurants in North Dallas, Texas
• Four restaurants in Birmingham, Alabama
• 10 restaurants in Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas
• Six restaurants in Conway and Northwest Arkansas
• Six restaurants in Columbia, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill, South Carolina
• Five restaurants in Arlington and Grand Prairie, Texas
• Three restaurants in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
• Three restaurants in Ashburn, Reston, and Herndon, Virginia

“2026 has been an exciting year of growth for Huey Magoo’s, and the momentum continues to build,” said Andy Howard, President and CEO of Huey Magoo’s Restaurants, LLC. “We remain focused on finding the right operators, developing the right markets, and growing Huey Magoo’s responsibly for the long term.”

The eight groups joining the brand this year range from first-time Huey Magoo’s franchisees to experienced multi-unit restaurant operators and reflect the brand’s continued focus on partnering with qualified, growth-oriented franchise groups capable of developing strong multi-unit markets.

Huey Magoo’s continued expansion comes as consumer demand for premium chicken concepts remains strong nationwide. The brand has carved out a distinct position in a competitive category by building its entire menu around a single cut: the tenderloin, which represents the best three percent of the chicken. The focus on quality over breadth is what earned Huey Magoo’s its trademarked reputation as “The Filet Mignon of Chicken®.”

“As Huey Magoo’s enters the remainder of 2026 with a substantial pipeline for future growth, there is still tremendous opportunity ahead of us,” Howard said. “Our objective has never been growth simply for the sake of growth. We want to build great restaurants with great franchise partners in communities where Huey Magoo’s can become a lasting part of the market.”

ABOUT HUEY MAGOO'S

Huey Magoo's is known for its uncompromising commitment to quality, serving premium, handcrafted chicken tenders made from the best three 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 13 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

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Media Contact:

Karen Murray
484-645-1981
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