Colorado-Based Craft Chicken Franchise Sets Sights on Houston for Next Phase of Texas Expansion

Houston’s fast-casual dining scene could soon be getting a major new player.

Birdcall—a Colorado-born fast casual brand specializing in award-winning chicken sandwiches, salads, and more—has announced plans to expand into the Houston market as part of its continued growth across Texas.

The company said it hopes to open as many as 5-7 locations throughout the Houston area over the next several years, targeting communities including Cypress, Katy, Pearland, and The Woodlands, among others. While specific leases have not yet been finalized, the expansion marks Birdcall’s latest move in what company leaders describe as an aggressive statewide growth strategy.

The announcement comes after Birdcall’s successful launch in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, where the brand currently operates two locations.

“Texas continues to be a major growth market for Birdcall, and expanding into Houston is an exciting next step for our brand,” said Birdcall CEO Mark Lohmann. “We’ve seen tremendous momentum in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, and we believe Houston offers the ideal opportunity to continue building our presence across the state as we bring the Birdcall experience to even more guests.”

Birdcall’s made-to-order menu is highlighted by 10 award-winning chicken sandwiches, hand-cut tenders, gluten-free nuggets, and chef-inspired salads, complemented by a variety of sides such as fries, tater tots, loaded tots, and coleslaw, as well as hand-spun specialty milkshakes and an array of house-made sauces and dressings. The restaurants also serve draft beer and house-made margaritas with Happy Hour specials.

In addition to its food offerings, Birdcall emphasizes community engagement by pledging a portion of sales to local nonprofits and organizations. The restaurants integrate with the community by providing meal donations, donating supplies to neighboring schools, hosting local nonprofits for restaurant nights in which a portion of sales are donated back to the organization, and more.

“As we continue expanding across Texas, our focus is not only on creating a great guest experience, but also on becoming a meaningful and lasting community partner in every neighborhood we enter,” Lohmann added.

The Houston expansion is part of Birdcall’s broader national franchise initiative. The company currently operates 17 restaurants across Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, with nearly 20 additional locations in various stages of development. Birdcall says it aims to grow to as many as 200 locations nationwide by the end of 2028.

As Birdcall accelerates its expansion across Texas, the company is seeking franchise partners to help fuel the growth in the Houston market. Including a franchise fee of $50,000, the total investment to open a 2,300 square-foot restaurant that typically seats about 125-150 people and employs around 25 people starts at $762,000.