Bush’s Chicken main office

Bush’s Chicken was founded in Waco, Texas, in 1996 by Keith and Charlene Bush. The restaurant chain is best known for it’s southern-styled fried chicken and sides that include fried okra, fries, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, yeast rolls, and macaroni and cheese. Bush’s Chicken also offers sweet tea and unsweetened ice tea sold by the gallon jug.

  The company has approximately 90 locations in 4 states, with a mix of both franchises and corporate-owned stores. Many locations in Texas offer old-fashioned car hop service, which is popular with locals.

In late 2012, the chain was hit with a lawsuit in which a woman claimed her husband died from salmonella poisoning after eating at Bush’s Chicken. Based on medical evidence at the trial, the jury concluded that Bush’s Chicken was not responsible for the man’s death.

 In June of 2018, multiple locations suddenly closed their doors with no explanation. The restaurant chain had been briefly sold, but second generation Bush family members repurchased the restaurant chain.

In October 2020, the company introduced a new sandwich, the Bushbaby Chicken Sandwich.

Headquarters for Bush’s Chicken remain in Waco, Texas.