‘We just follow the people’: Local chain Chicken Fiesta hatching sixth location

Chicken Fiesta main

Chicken Fiesta owner Harold Vega is preparing to open a sixth location. (BizSense file photo)

Rotisserie chicken, yellow sauce and yucca fries are heading to the Northside area.

Locally-based Chicken Fiesta is preparing to open its sixth area location at 8211 Brook Road.

The new spot in central Henrico, just north of Lakeside, will fill a gap in the chain’s footprint, as Chicken Fiesta currently has locations in the Fan, along Broad Street in the West End, in Colonial Heights and two in Midlothian.

Owner Harold Vega said they’d regularly hear from customers asking about expanding into the Lakeside area.

fiesta1

The former Hardee’s near the intersection of Parham and Brook roads is set to become a Chicken Fiesta. (Mike Platania photos)

“We’d just started looking around and also the customers gave us requests. ‘Why don’t you open a location around here?,’” Vega said. “We just follow the people.”

The 3,100-square-foot Brook Road building had been a Hardee’s until it vacated in recent months. It’s equipped with a drive-thru, something Vega said sweetened the deal.

“It’s perfect for us because they have a drive-thru and now we’re getting into the drive-thru business,” Vega said. “With the pandemic, we had to modify a little bit of our business, and the drive-thru is one of the modifications we’ve had to do.”

Chicken Fiesta is leasing the space. S.L. Nusbaum’s Nathan Shor represented the landlord in lease negotiations.

fiesta2 scaled

Harold Vega bought the former 88 Garden building, but an exact use for it has yet to be determined.

Vega said they’re aiming to open in the fall. In the meantime, he’s mulling over options for another property he controls on the Southside.

In March, Vega spent $950,000 to acquire 6135 Midlothian Turnpike, a 3,200-square-foot building near Chippenham Parkway that once housed Korean restaurant 88 Garden. Vega said no decisions have been made for that building, and that he’s considering everything from turning it into an event venue to renting it out.

Vega founded Chicken Fiesta in the early 2000s, with its original location on Midlothian Turnpike.

Chicken Fiesta main

Chicken Fiesta owner Harold Vega is preparing to open a sixth location. (BizSense file photo)

Rotisserie chicken, yellow sauce and yucca fries are heading to the Northside area.

Locally-based Chicken Fiesta is preparing to open its sixth area location at 8211 Brook Road.

The new spot in central Henrico, just north of Lakeside, will fill a gap in the chain’s footprint, as Chicken Fiesta currently has locations in the Fan, along Broad Street in the West End, in Colonial Heights and two in Midlothian.

Owner Harold Vega said they’d regularly hear from customers asking about expanding into the Lakeside area.

fiesta1

The former Hardee’s near the intersection of Parham and Brook roads is set to become a Chicken Fiesta. (Mike Platania photos)

“We’d just started looking around and also the customers gave us requests. ‘Why don’t you open a location around here?,’” Vega said. “We just follow the people.”

The 3,100-square-foot Brook Road building had been a Hardee’s until it vacated in recent months. It’s equipped with a drive-thru, something Vega said sweetened the deal.

“It’s perfect for us because they have a drive-thru and now we’re getting into the drive-thru business,” Vega said. “With the pandemic, we had to modify a little bit of our business, and the drive-thru is one of the modifications we’ve had to do.”

Chicken Fiesta is leasing the space. S.L. Nusbaum’s Nathan Shor represented the landlord in lease negotiations.

fiesta2 scaled

Harold Vega bought the former 88 Garden building, but an exact use for it has yet to be determined.

Vega said they’re aiming to open in the fall. In the meantime, he’s mulling over options for another property he controls on the Southside.

In March, Vega spent $950,000 to acquire 6135 Midlothian Turnpike, a 3,200-square-foot building near Chippenham Parkway that once housed Korean restaurant 88 Garden. Vega said no decisions have been made for that building, and that he’s considering everything from turning it into an event venue to renting it out.

Vega founded Chicken Fiesta in the early 2000s, with its original location on Midlothian Turnpike.

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Jackson Joyner
Jackson Joyner
2 years ago

If you have not tried their chicken yet, go check it out. Amazing flavor, fast service and great prices. They have a good thing going and I am please to see they are continuing to grow.

Marcos Silva
Marcos Silva
2 years ago

We need one in the Brandermill area! Grub Hub will not deliver from their nearest Midlothian location.

Dr. Abe C. Gomez
Dr. Abe C. Gomez
2 years ago

Love Chicken Fiesta! Reminds me of Chipotle in the early days before it became a public company over “corporate”. Congrats on the latest location

Ned Rennolds
Ned Rennolds
2 years ago

This is a great local restaurant chain, keep em coming, hopefully in the east end somewhere.