LINCOLN SQUARE — The Budlong Hot Chicken will return next week with new owners, a new menu and plans to expand.
The Budlong opened in 2015 and expanded across the city, but its founder, Jared Leonard, announced in 2022 he was shopping around for buyers, according to Crain’s.
Gregg Majewski — a former Jimmy John’s CEO — bought The Budlong Hot Chicken a few months after launching Craveworthy Brands in 2022. Craveworthy owns, operates and franchises four brands in more than 18 states, according to its website.
The Budlong will host grand reopening events with discounted menu items 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Thursday at its four locations in Chicago: Lincoln Square, 4619 N. Western Ave.; the Loop’s Urban Space Food Hall, 15 W. Washington St.; Hyde Park, 1301 E. 53rd St.; and Lincoln Park, 1008 W. Armitage Ave.
Down the line, Majewski plans to add 100 more Budlong locations across the country by 2027, he said in a statement.
“I join the entire team at Craveworthy Brands when I say we are incredibly eager to utilize our expertise in operations, marketing, finance and franchising to fuel strategic growth. The Budlong has so much unrealized potential and we plan to capitalize on it with talented restaurant franchise operators,” Majewski said.
Majewski has brought on chefs Becca McIntyre and Robert Kabakoff to revise The Budlong’s menu so the lineup of new and original chicken sandwiches is cheaper and made using premium chicken thighs.
New menu items include the Southern Style with Pimento cheese and the Yo’Mamma’s sandwich served with black-pepper pickle relish.
The chicken breast version of the Budlong Original is $9.99 and served with homemade “comeback sauce” and farm slaw.
Majewski is also introducing an updated website to make it easier to order online.
The existing locations will be renovated to help with third-party delivery and pickup, as well as simplified takeout, according to a news release.
“The bottom line is that we’re reinvesting in the future of The Budlong, creating a sustainable business model built to thrive. We’ve driven value into the business model at every level,” Majewski said.
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