David Bamberger joined forces with Church to launch a separate franchise operation.īamberger grew up poor in Ohio during the Depression on a four-acre farm that lacked running water and electricity. As a result, Church would be able to spread beyond San Antonio and still maintain a level of quality control on their signature fried chicken. Three years later, Church and his older brother Richard made a key contribution when they developed a marinating formula that could be made virtually anywhere. When he took over the management of the company in 1962, there were eight locations in San Antonio, and for the time being he was content to concentrate on that limited market. (Bill) Church, Jr., who fostered the dream of one day spreading Church's Fried Chicken across the country. He died in 1956, and other members of his family took over the operation. However, George Church would not live to see his concept grow further. The restaurant was a success, prompting Church to open three more restaurants in San Antonio. It was not until 1955 that he added French fries and jalapenos to the menu. As a novelty, the cookers were located next to the window, allowing customers to watch their orders being prepared. It was called "Church's Fried Chicken to Go," an apt name since the restaurant only offered takeout service and sold nothing but fried chicken. In 1952, he opened a walk-up restaurant that was little more than a stand across the street from the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. He kept overhead to a minimum and concentrated on offering a high-quality product at a low cost, prepared for carryout to appeal to the increasingly mobile lifestyle of a post- World War II population. After retiring from a career in the poultry business, working as an incubator salesman, Church was 65 when he decided to launch a business selling fried chicken, pursuing a fast food concept that was ahead of its time. 1950s OriginsĬhurch's founder was George W. Since mid-2004, AFC has been looking to sell off Church's to concentrate on Popeyes. In addition to Church's, the parent company owns the Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits chain. Church's menu centers around Southern-style chicken and features such side dishes as mashed potatoes and gravy, fried okra, cole slaw, Honey Butter Biscuits and Jalapeno Cheese Bombers. ![]() About 80 percent of the units are franchised operations. Employees: 7,000 (est.) Sales: $300 million (2003 est.) NAIC: 722211 Limited-Service RestaurantsĪ division of AFC Enterprises, Inc., Church's Chicken owns and franchises more than 1,500 fast food chicken restaurants in some 30 states and a dozen countries. Incorporated: 1969 as Church's Fried Chicken, Inc. ![]() ![]() 980 Hammond Drives N.E., Suite 1100 Atlanta, Georgia 30328 U.S.A.
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