Huey Magoo’s growth continues with the grand opening in ChampionsGate, Florida, CEO and President Andy Howard announced this week. ChampionsGate marks the ninth Huey Magoo’s operating in the Greater Orlando area, the second to open this year, and with the following four additional restaurants opening throughout the Southeast by the end of 2019, Huey Magoo’s company-wide growth will nearly double in one year:
· (Greater Orlando) 10341 West Colonial Drive, Suite 30, Ocoee, FL 64761
· (Daytona) 1268 Beville Road, Daytona, FL 32114
· (South Florida) 9400 West Commercial Boulevard, Suite 101, Sunrise, FL 33351
· (Greater Atlanta) 4630 Atlanta Highway, Loganville, GA 30052
Huey Magoo’s is known for their signature grilled, hand-breaded or “sauced” premium chicken tenders, farm fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps, available as individual meals, meals for two and family-sized options. Each tender is made fresh, all natural, with no antibiotics ever, no hormones, no steroids and no preservatives.
Huey Magoo’s was founded in 2004 by Matt Armstrong and Thad Hudgens, two southern boys with a passion for quality chicken and a penchant for serving others. Voted “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best of the Best Chicken Tenders”, Huey Magoo’s is rapidly expanding throughout the Southeast with multiple locations in the Greater Orlando area and coming soon to South Florida, Tampa, Atlanta and more.
“We are elated to expand Huey Magoo’s family of restaurants from 7 to 13 in just this year alone, nearly doubling our company growth,” says Howard. “We proudly welcome seasoned quick service operators Chris and McKenzie to ChampionsGate, and with many more new markets and locations in development, we cannot wait to continue to make more fans throughout the country of the greatest tasting chicken tenders.”
Huey Magoo’s Matt Armstrong, Andy Howard, Shawn Lawler, Mike Sutter, Matt Poleos, Chris Cohen, McKenzie Cohen
Q&A with Huey Magoo’s Matt Armstrong
1. What inspired you to start this business?
We wanted to provide the best tasting chicken tenders, provide a fun and clean dining environment, while showing our love for people.
2. What were the obstacles you faced in the first few years? How did you overcome them?
Since we were the first to market in Central Florida with a restaurant that specialized only in chicken tenders, it took a while for people to understand just how great the product was and how all ages enjoy our tenders, wraps, sandwiches and salads.
3. When did you know this would be a success?
Once we started getting our chicken into the mouths of people in the area, the word began to spread quickly. It didn’t take long until folks realized how much they craved our tenders and sauce.
4. What trends have you seen in the industry in recent years around chicken tenders?
I call it the 2 to 92 affect… People of all ages love to eat chicken tenders and that trend is growing. Our store sales continue to grow year over year, even as we expand in the market.
5. What are the most popular items right now at Huey Magoo’s?
The 5-piece meal for one will always be our most popular, but our new tender sandwich is my new favorite… 3 hand breaded tenders, thick cut pickle, made from scratch Magoo’s sauce on texas toast or a premium bun.
6. What new items do you have planned in the coming year?
We continue to listen to our guests and industry trends, but our biggest plan for the coming year is to open locations in new markets so everyone can try them and see for themselves just how tasty they really are.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring restaurateurs?
Look for an opportunity that has a specific focus and that is simple enough to do it with consistency for every guest.
For more information on Huey Magoo’s and a complete list of locations, visit www.hueymagoos.com. For franchising information, contact Andy Howard at 214-293-1564 or andy@hueymagoos.com.
