WEAVERVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Fast-casual chicken chain Huey Magoo’s has opened its newest location in Weaverville, marking another step in the brand’s expansion across North Carolina and beyond.
The restaurant celebrated its grand opening Saturday with a community event that included giveaways and special offers, drawing a steady crowd of local residents.
Founded in 2004 in Orlando, Florida, Huey Magoo’s specializes in chicken tenders and has grown from a small, two-store operation into a rapidly expanding franchise. The company is led by President and CEO Andy Howard, along with an executive team that brings decades of experience in the restaurant industry.
Local franchise owners RJ Murray and Lori Murray said their connection to the brand is personal.
“One of our friends from high school was one of the original founders,” RJ Murray said. “We watched the company grow and didn’t want to miss the opportunity to be part of it. It feels like a family.”
The Murrays, who also operate a Huey Magoo’s location in Arden, said Weaverville’s small-town character made it an ideal fit for the brand.
“There’s a strong sense of community here,” Murray said. “We feel like we fit better in towns like Weaverville, where we can really connect with people and be involved locally.”
The couple plans to continue expanding, with another location expected to open along Leicester Highway near a new gas station development, possibly by spring 2027.
Howard, who has spent roughly four decades in the restaurant business, said he was drawn to Huey Magoo’s after encountering the concept while his daughter was attending school in Orlando.
“I was looking for the best chicken tender product out there,” Howard said. “I tried it, fell in love with it and eventually acquired a majority stake in the company.”
Under his leadership, the brand has grown to 88 locations across 12 states, with more than 250 additional franchises sold and in development. The company expects to surpass 100 locations later this year.
Huey Magoo’s markets itself as a premium chicken tender concept, focusing exclusively on tenderloins, a cut Howard describes as the “filet mignon of chicken.”
“There are only two tenderloins per chicken, and that’s all we use,” he said. “Everything we serve — whether it’s grilled, hand-breaded, in a salad, sandwich or wrap — starts with that.”
With its Weaverville opening, the company continues to target growing suburban and small-town markets, pairing franchise expansion with a focus on community engagement.
“We believe in choosing the right operators and the right communities,” Howard said. “When you have both, you set the brand up for success.”