Fried chicken chain coming to Kansas City area as part of its rapid expansion plan

A Wichita-based fried chicken chain is planning to bring its sandwiches and golden tenders to the Kansas City area.

Chick N Max is looking to open several locations on both sides of the state line.

The company wants to franchise in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas, according to a media release.

In Kansas, Chick N Max aims to open six to eight restaurants in Topeka and the Kansas side of the KC metro.

In Missouri, it’s planning five to seven restaurants in St. Louis, Columbia and the Kansas City area.

“Solidifying our franchise expansion is a milestone we can feel proud about reaching in just a few short years since our launch in 2018,” CEO Max Sheets said in the release. “Now, we’re excited about turning the page to this next chapter of our evolution and look forward to bringing our innovative take on chicken to more markets across the Central United States.”

Chick N Max has seven locations in Kansas, South Dakota and Texas, but it plans to open 50 more over the next two years.

The fast-casual restaurants will be 1,500-2,400 square feet and include indoor and outdoor seating for as many as 80 customers. They will offer dine-in, pick-up and drive-thru options.

Chick N Max’s sandwiches include the Sweet and Spicy Crunch (two crispy tenders, crisp cucumber, fresh tomato, sweet & spicy sauce on a toasted brioche bun), BBQ Onion Ring (pulled chicken tossed in BBQ sauce, topped with coleslaw and an onion ring on a toasted potato bun) and Chicken and Waffles (two crispy tenders between sweet waffles, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and spicy sauce).

It also sells popcorn chicken, crispy tenders, wings and more.

Meanwhile, more chicken chains are popping up in the Kansas City metro.

Nashville hot chicken restaurant Dave’s Hot Chicken will soon open its third location in the area at 15139 W. 119th St. in Olathe.

Mother Clucker opened its Leawood location a few months ago in Park Place at 11635 Ash St.

Jenna Thompson

The Kansas City Star

Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.