Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders cut the ribbon on its first Augusta location, Wednesday morning, off Jimmie Dyess Parkway, across from Kroger Marketplace.
The Florida-based fast-casual restaurant chain bills its cornerstone offering as “the filet mignon of chicken,” with a menu featuring breaded or grilled chicken tenderloins in sandwiches, wraps and salads, alongside drink selections that include watermelon iced tea and candy-corn lemonade.
“For me, this is my fourth chicken shop in my career,” said CEO Andy Howard, whose portfolio running chicken franchises includes Wing Stop (though not the one that opened near Huey Magoo’s earlier this year). “I, as I said, I’ve saved the best for last.”
Matthew Armstrong and Thad Hudgens switched from professional golfing to becoming restaurateurs when founded the Huey Magoo’s in Orlando, Fla. in 2004. The Augusta shop, which opened earlier last month, is the chain’s 78th. Most of those are concentrated in the Southeast, including locations in Milledgeville and Statesboro, and Howard noted that some 200 more franchises have been sold and will be developed over the next few years.
Franchise owner Tom Scarbarough brought the chicken shop to Augusta at the suggestion of co-franchisee Jeramie Martin, with whom he opened the Statesboro eatery last year.
“We’re glad to be here in the community, and we’re looking forward to growing all the year, but in all the other corners of Richmond and Columbia County as well,” said Scarborough.
Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders is located at 3970 Harper Franklin Ave.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
