News Summary
Raleigh will welcome its first Guthrie’s Chicken restaurant, marking the chain’s entry into North Carolina. The new location near Wake Forest and Six Forks roads is part of an expansion plan that aims to open nine additional locations in the Carolinas. Featuring a drive-thru and indoor dining, the restaurant is expected to create job opportunities and strengthen Guthrie’s presence in the fast-food chicken market, known for its signature chicken fingers.
Raleigh, North Carolina, to Welcome Its First Guthrie’s Chicken Location in November
On November 4, 2025, Raleigh residents will gain their first Guthrie’s restaurant, marking the chain’s entry into North Carolina. The new location, situated near the intersection of Wake Forest and Six Forks roads, is part of the company’s broader expansion plan across the Carolinas.
Expansion Details and Expected Impact
The upcoming restaurant will feature both a drive-thru and an indoor dining area, designed to serve approximately 50 to 60 employees. The opening signifies an important milestone for the chain, which plans to open an additional nine locations across South Carolina and North Carolina within the next six months.
Background of Guthrie’s and Its Growing Presence
Founded in the 1960s in Haleyville, Alabama by Hal Guthrie, Guthrie’s has built a reputation on its focus on chicken fingers. The company’s CEO Joe Kelly Guthrie is experienced in the chicken finger industry and considers himself an expert in chicken finger taste. Since establishing its first franchise in Auburn, Alabama in 1982, Guthrie’s has grown to operate over 70 locations across 13 states.
Menu Focus and Industry Influence
Although the original Guthrie’s menu included a wide range of Southern comfort foods, it has since focused predominantly on chicken fingers. The chain’s signature meal includes chicken fingers, crinkle fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, and a signature dipping sauce. Variations include meal sizes such as the Big Box Combo, Original Box Combo, and Sandwich Combo.
The concept of a chicken finger-only menu originated with Guthrie’s, contributing to the creation of a $15 billion per year chicken finger industry nationwide. Guthrie’s has maintained a confident stance on product quality, positioning itself as a competitive force within the fast-food chicken segment.
Community and Future Growth
Joe Kelly Guthrie expressed that the company’s desire to expand into the Triangle area has been ongoing for over 35 years. The upcoming Raleigh branch signifies the realization of that long-term goal.
With aggressive expansion plans, Guthrie’s aims to increase its footprint in the southeastern United States, expanding its brand presence in both South and North Carolina through new locations and increased market reach.
Summary
This new Guthrie’s restaurant in Raleigh represents a notable step in the company’s growth, offering a streamlined menu centered on chicken fingers, with a focus on quality and expansion. As it prepares to open its doors in early November, the company expects to create local employment opportunities and continue its strategic growth across the Carolinas over the coming months.
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Additional Resources
- News Observer
- PR Newswire
- Port City Daily
- Provisioner Online
- Munden Funeral Home
- Wikipedia: Guthrie’s Chicken
- Google Search: Guthrie’s Chicken
- Google Scholar: Guthrie’s Chicken
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Guthrie’s Chicken
- Google News: Guthrie’s Chicken
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
