WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) — A southern chain boasted as the “filet mignon of chicken” has launched a fourth Ohio location in Columbus, with plans to open 16 more eateries across the state.
Huey Magoo’s at 53 W. Wilson Bridge Road in Worthington is now welcoming customers after opening late last month, marking the fourth Ohio restaurant launched by franchisees Tim and Ronda Hobert. Operating another Huey Magoo’s in Marysville and two near Dayton, the couple said they are planning to expand their rolodex to 20 Ohio restaurants.
“We are especially excited to open our newest Huey Magoo’s restaurant in my hometown of Worthington,” said Hobart, who is also a franchisee of BD’s Mongolian Grill. “We pride ourselves in being very involved in all of our local communities, and we look forward to further growing this great brand’s popularity throughout the Dayton and Columbus regions.”
The 2,400-square-foot location is joining several other eateries that have recently moved into the Worthington Gateway development, like DiBella’s Subs which expanded in March with a third Columbus eatery and Lion Cub’s Cookies that also opened in March. Maple Street Biscuit Co. launched in spring of last year, marking the brand’s second Ohio restaurant.
Huey Magoo’s in Worthington is the 64th location opening company-wide, with restaurants spanning 12 states. Each location is home to Huey Magoo’s signature grilled, hand-breaded or “sauced” premium chicken tenders, fresh-made salads, sandwiches and wraps.
“Tim and Ronda have achieved tremendous success opening four Huey Magoo’s restaurants in two years, with many more in the pipeline,” said Andy Howard, Huey Magoo’s CEO. “We congratulate their team on Worthington, and we look forward to them making many more fans of the ‘Filet Mignon of Chicken’ throughout Ohio.”
The chicken chain is one of several fast-casual chicken eateries expanding in central Ohio, like Bojangles, which is moving forward with plans to build a location in Delaware. Dave’s Hot Chicken, a national chain boasted as a “hot chicken sensation,” opened a third central Ohio location in Westerville last month.
Chick-fil-A is also expanding by bulldozing several Columbus-area restaurants to make room for new locations. The chain is planning to demolish a Buca di Beppo in Worthington after purchasing the site for $2.5 million earlier this month.
Mackenzie River in Westerville closed earlier this year and is scheduled to be demolished to make room for a new Chick-fil-A. In addition, Tee Jaye’s Country Place at 4910 N. High St. closed in 2021 for a new Chick-fil-A, which opened earlier this month. Construction at this site included preserving the site’s 20th-century sign that has received a facelift with Chick-fil-A branding.
Other central Ohio chicken eateries include a chain founded by Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal that is planning to open more than 35 restaurants in Ohio, beginning in Columbus. Slim Chickens is planning to open as many as 25 locations in Ohio, while Hot Chicken Takeover has recently opened several new restaurants.
Worthington’s Huey Magoo is open 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.