Golden Chick is expanding its Houston footprint with two new restaurant openings in two days, bringing more of the brand’s signature chicken to local diners in Space City. A new restaurant at 2008 S. Wayside Drive opened April 6, followed by a second opening today at 11418 S. Sam Houston Parkway E. With the additions, Golden Chick now operates 21 restaurants in the Houston area.
The back-to-back openings build on Golden Chick’s continued growth in Houston, where the brand opened five restaurants in 2025. Together, the two openings reflect Golden Chick’s effort to meet Houston guests where they are, with one location tailored for all-day dining near a major university and another built for convenience along a heavily traveled route.
“Houston continues to be an incredibly important market for Golden Chick, and opening two restaurants in two days speaks to the kind of momentum we are building there,” said Mark Parmerlee, CEO of Golden Chick. “We are growing with experienced franchisees who are deeply committed to serving their communities, opening locations in growing communities, and with formats that make sense for each community.”
Golden Chick Houston Wayside Drive
The new S. Wayside Drive restaurant (located on Wayside Drive at I-45) is owned and operated by brothers Raj and Karan Korpal, whose newest location marks their fourth Golden Chick restaurant, following openings in Beaumont, Orange and Port Arthur. Located near the University of Houston, the restaurant is designed to serve guests throughout the day with breakfast offered daily from 6 to 10:30 a.m. and late-night hours. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to midnight and Friday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
“We have seen firsthand how strongly Golden Chick resonates in Southeast Texas, and opening in Houston felt like a natural next step for our family,” said Raj Korpal. “We are excited to serve this community with a format that gives guests great options throughout the day, from breakfast to late night.”
Golden Chick Houston Sam Houston Parkway
The second new restaurant, located at 11418 S. Sam Houston Parkway E. at the corner of Sam Houston Tollway and Hughes Road, is owned and operated by Ayaz Ali, a Houston native whose newest location marks his third Golden Chick restaurant in the area, alongside existing restaurants in Spring and on Sam Houston Parkway N. Positioned along a busy Houston corridor, the new Sam Houston Parkway at Hughes Road restaurant offers a convenient stop for commuters, travelers and local families looking for a quick meal on the go. It will serve Golden Chick’s traditional lunch and dinner offerings and is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to midnight and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.
“Houston is home for me, so this is not just a business decision, it is a personal one,” said Ayaz Ali. “I chose Golden Chick because of its quality, consistency and Southern hospitality, and I’m excited to help introduce more Houstonians to the brand.”
Guests at both new Houston-area restaurants can enjoy Golden Chick favorites like the Original Golden Tenders®, Big & Golden® Chicken Sandwich and fresh-baked Golden Rolls™, along with the brand’s seasonal Butterfly Shrimp offerings available through April 12.
