Chick-fil-A announced it is building 25 to 30 locations in Ohio by 2027, one of which will be in Athens according to a press release.
Currently, there are 80 locations in Ohio, with the first opening in Cleveland in 1979. In addition to Athens, the expansion effort will bring locations to Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Northwest Ohio.
The Chick-fil-A expansion is a part of the company’s goal to continuously serve communities in need across Ohio, the press release states.
“Ohio’s mix of vibrant cities, close-knit suburban communities and deep-rooted traditions truly makes it the ‘Heart of it All,’” Omar Dione, area director for the Midwest Region, said in a press release. "It's been an honor to serve Ohioans for the past 45 years, and we look forward to building on our restaurant company’s legacy in such a strong state.”
Currently, Athens has five chicken places: Hotbox Chicken Fingers & Tots, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Miller’s Chicken, Raising Canes and Wings Over. Ohio University also has its own chicken place, Earl’s Coop, where students can use meal swipes.
Hotbox opened Nov. 23, 2024, and Raising Cane's followed suit Oct. 7, 2025.
Chick-fil-A offers a variety of chicken items, sides, drinks and desserts. Its single-serve meals are priced between $9.45-$13.28 and family meals between $31.99-$34.99.
The chicken places currently in Athens have different prices compared to Chick-fil-A. Hotbox offers a meal deal that includes three chicken tenders, tots, sauce and a drink priced at $8.50. Cane’s serves the Box Combo, which includes three tenders, a sauce, fries, Texas toast and a 22-ounce drink for $9.59. Miller’s has three tenders at the price of $8.99.
The nearest Chick-fil-A location to Athens is 38 miles away in Vienna, West Virginia. A Chick-fil-A truck parks periodically along East Union Street between Court Street and College Street.
Ava Jump, a freshman studying production design and technology, said she thinks there are better chicken options in Athens than Chick-fil-A.
“I'm honestly not the biggest Chick-fil-A fan,” Jump said. “I would probably prefer just walking down and going to Hotbox. That's what me and my friends would usually do.”
Miller’s Chicken has been a restaurant in Athens since the late 1940s, according to a previous report by The Post.
Sandra Zoulek, the owner of Miller’s, said she is not concerned about losing business because Miller’s serves a different type of chicken than Raising Cane's and Chick-fil-A.
“I think Chick-fil-A is colored up in the same way, (focusing on) sandwiches and nuggets,” Zoulek said. “For us, it’s chicken, homemade sides, pies and everything else we offer.”
Zoulek said she is also not concerned because most of Miller’s foot traffic is from members of the Athens community and chains and uptown businesses cater to a different audience.
At Miller’s Chicken, three chicken tenders cost $8.99 while at Chick-fil-A the same item is priced at $5.59.
The dining dollar can spread out more with the addition of Chick-fil-A, according to Kevin McNamara, the owner of Hotbox.
“I think the rallying cry to shop local and support small business just gets louder,” McNamara said. “The townies in particular, while it's good to have something large and national come in, they want to keep the character of Athens. They really push on reminding people to shop local when possible.”
McNamara said the addition of Chick-fil-A allows for the other chicken restaurants to be brought up in conversation. He said if it were a new steakhouse being put in, Hotbox would not be mentioned.
“We kind of figured that Chick-fil-A would come at some point, just as we knew that Canes was coming,” McNamara said. “It's just a matter of carving out a unique identity and a unique menu and just letting the community know that we're still here.”
McNamara said Hotbox tries to distinguish itself from other chicken places by marinating the chicken longer, using a unique hand-breading, cooking to order, serving tots and offering a spicy option. What sets Hotbox apart, according to McNamara, is its commitment to supporting and honoring Athens.
“The dining room is decorated with these concert posters of events that have come through Athens through the years,” McNamara said. “We have a scholarship fund that I started last year.”
During the government shutdown, Hotbox offered free meals to people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. McNamara said he hopes this underscores the business’s dedication to the town.
“We’re grateful for Chick-fil-A local owner-operators and team members who create remarkable experiences for our customers and show tremendous care every day,” Dione said. “As we continue to grow, we look forward to bringing more opportunities that support and uplift local communities.”
