The new location is part of 10 new storefronts scheduled to open in Texas this year, co-owner Brandon Gawthorp said. Urban Bird also became a franchisor in late April and is now accepting franchise applications on its website to continue expanding the brand.
On the menu
The eatery specializes in chicken sandwiches, baskets, and chicken and waffles—all halal and offered in various heat levels, Gawthorp said. Patrons can also substitute in meatless chicken tenders.
Other menu items include milkshakes and sides such as street corn, kale slaw, mac and cheese topped with Flamin' Hot Cheetos, and fries, according to the website.
Urban Bird’s top seller is the Urban Fries, which is french fries topped with mac and cheese, Nashville hot chicken and a signature sauce, Gawthorp said. Chronic Fries, a virtual kitchen concept, also operates within the business, providing other loaded fries baskets.
Gawthrop launched Urban Bird in September 2020 in Katy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were one of the first people with our dining room open, so a lot of people were only to-go at that time,” he said. “It was nice for [customers] to come in and just be able to sit and eat and order at the table.”
Zooming out
Urban Bird Hot Chicken now has 19 locations across Texas in the Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio metros, Gawthrop said. In addition to the upcoming Sugar Land eatery, he plans to open two others in the Houston area this year in Deer Park and near Memorial City.
- Opening this summer
- 19922 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land
- www.urbanbirdhotchicken.com
