Guthrie's, which proudly claims to be "America's Original Chicken Finger Restaurant," is returning to The Classic City. A new Guthrie's is opening at 3465 Jefferson Road where it will be situated in a roughly 2,500 square foot endcap space previously occupied by Dairy Queen, in a building it will share with a Subway and JP Marathon gas station and convenience store. The new Guthrie's marks the return of the Auburn-based chain to Athens after a nearly two decade absence.
Both Raising Cane's and Zaxby's, which started in Statesboro in 1990 and is now based in Athens, trace their roots back to Guthrie's. Guthrie's, called by some "the godfather of the fried chicken tender," got its start in Haleyville, Alabama way back in 1965.
Despite their significant head start and to some, a superior product, Guthrie's is not nearly as big of a company as the chains it inspired.
According to the Guthrie's website, the company today includes 50 restaurants across seven states with three locations including the Athens outpost and another in East Cobb"coming soon." Guthrie's had a presence in eight states until earlier this year when its sole location in Ohio - in Cleveland - closed after 12 years in business. There are currently 11 Guthrie's in Georgia including outposts in Canton, Cumming, and the newest in Peachtree City, among others. The chain has in years past closed Atlanta area restaurants in Dunwoody and Peachtree Corners.
Raising Cane's, by comparison, which for years had just one Georgia location in Athens, is on a growth spurt and recently opened their second Atlanta area unit in Buford with plans for additional outposts in Woodstock and Snellville, among others. The chain earlier this year surpassed 700 units nationwide.
Zaxby's, which in late 2020 sold a majority interest to an affiliate of Goldman Sachs in a deal valued at $2 billion, today includes more than 900 locations but could surpass 1,000 locations by 2025. The chain operates more than 100 locations across Georgia including five in Athens, as well as outposts in neighboring Jefferson and Watkinsville, too.
Are you excited for the return of Guthrie's to Athens? Who do you think makes the best chicken tender? Will UGA make it three in a row this year?
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