Starbird Expansiom: Ten New Locations to Open in Salt Lake City and Chicago Under New Franchise Development Agreements
Starbird has announced the signing of two new franchise development agreements, which will result in the establishment of ten new Starbird locations in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chicago, Illinois. The initial openings are expected in late 2025 and early 2026.
The announcement from Starbird marks a significant milestone in its strategic expansion across the United States. The new franchise development agreements will add ten new Starbird locations to Salt Lake City, Utah, and Chicago, Illinois. The first locations are projected to open in late 2025 and early 2026.
These new locations will be split evenly between Salt Lake City and the greater Chicago metropolitan area, two markets identified for their burgeoning food scenes and growing demand for contemporary, chef-driven dining experiences. The franchisees' strong ties to their communities also played a significant role in the selection of these locations.
Starbird's CEO and founder, Aaron Noveshen, described these franchise agreements as another significant step in Starbird's strategic growth. He emphasized the brand's eagerness to collaborate with operators who share Starbird's dedication to culinary and operational excellence. Noveshen is confident that the operators’ expertise and commitment will be instrumental in successfully establishing Starbird in these regions.
The new franchise partners have chosen to invest in Starbird due to its robust unit economics, innovative menu, and forward-thinking business model. Their investment highlights the increasing demand for premium chicken concepts and solidifies Starbird's standing as a standout leader in this category.
Starbird has distinguished itself in the quick-service industry through its commitment to high-quality ingredients and diverse menu options. The company prides itself on its fresh, never-frozen, antibiotic-free chicken, which is hand-breaded in a proprietary blend of gluten-free flours and spices and cooked in rice bran oil. In addition to its signature crispy chicken, Starbird offers a range of menu items, including salads, wraps, bowls, wings, and breakfast options, catering to a wide variety of tastes and dietary preferences.
With franchise opportunities available in key U.S. markets— including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, and Florida— Starbird is actively seeking experienced multi-unit operators interested in Area Development commitments of a minimum of five restaurants. Prospective franchisees should possess restaurant and business experience, a minimum net worth of $3 million, and liquid capital of at least $1 million. The investment range for traditional and non-traditional units is between $1,138,074 to $1,588,963.
