Chicken chains focus on flavor

In Say Grace, and Wipe Your Hands...: BlackRestaurant.NET's Eaters Guide to America's Black Restaurants, the comprehensive list of restaurants shows that a number of veteran chefs have expanded to multiple locations in several states.

Harold's Chicken Shack, the legendary Chicago restaurant opened in 1950, has opened more than 60 locations throughout the Midwest.  It is one of several black restaurants that has benefited from being a favorite of President Barack Obama, along with Washington, D.C.'s Ben's Chili Bowl and Harlem's Red Rooster.

Dallas-based Williams Chicken has 35 franchises in Texas. Hiawatha Williams opened his first Williams Fried Chicken Drive-thru eatery in Dallas, Texas.  The majority of the Williams Fried Chicken stores are located in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. However, store locations now include South and East Texas.  Williams offers more than food.  His philosophy is "to serve, grow and give back to the community."

In Seattle, Ezell Stephens opened his first of seven Ezell's Chicken restaurants in 1984.   He had just left the Coast Guard and spent six years attending night school while raising money to open.  In the Puget Sound, his locations are:

Woodinville Location
17323 140th AVE. NE (140th & 175th)
Woodinville, WA 98072
425-485-8960

Renton Location
4575 NE 4th AVE (4th & Duvall)
Renton, WA 98058
425-228-9008

Seattle Location
501 23rd AVE (23rd & E. Jefferson)
Seattle, WA 98122
206-324-4141

South Seattle Location
11805 Renton AVE. South
(Next to Skyway Bowl)
Seattle, WA 98178
206-772-1925

Lynnwood Location
7531 196th SW (76th & 196th)
Seattle, WA 98036
425-673-4193

Lake City Way Location
14330 Lake City Way N.E.
(145th & Lake City Way NE)
Seattle, WA 98125
206-363-1167

Fairwood Location
17620 140th S.E.
(140th S.E. & S.E. Petrovitsky Rd.)
Renton, WA 98058
425-255-0460