8 Fried Chicken Chains North Carolinians Are Proud To Call Their Own
When it comes to fried chicken, North Carolina stands tall with some serious bragging rights. This is a state where crispy, juicy chicken isn’t just a comfort food—it’s part of our cultural fabric.
Over the years, I’ve spent countless weekends chasing down the best bites, from small-town diners to well-loved chains, and the variety is something to celebrate.
You’ll find fiery Cajun-inspired seasoning, golden Southern-style classics, and everything in between, each with its own loyal following. These homegrown chains in particular have risen above the rest, earning their place as fried chicken staples born right here in the Tar Heel State.
1. Bojangles: The Crown Jewel of Carolina Chicken
Y’all, I still remember my first Bojangles experience after moving to Charlotte. That distinctive Cajun kick hit my taste buds and I was instantly hooked! Founded in 1977 in Charlotte, this chicken powerhouse has grown to over 750 locations, but North Carolinians claim it with special pride.
Their spicy chicken and buttermilk biscuits create a combo that’s practically our state’s unofficial meal. My family has a Sunday tradition of grabbing a 12-piece with dirty rice and Cajun pintos after church.
Fun fact: During Panthers football games, the stadium sells so much Bojangles that they’ve nicknamed certain sections the “Bo Zone.”
2. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q: The Perfect Marriage
Nothing beats pulling up to a Smithfield’s after a long road trip across eastern Carolina. Born in Smithfield in 1977, this joint brilliantly combined two Carolina obsessions: fried chicken and eastern-style barbecue.
The chicken has that homestyle quality you just can’t fake – crispy outside, tender inside, and seasoned just right. My grandpa swears their recipe hasn’t changed in 40 years, and that’s exactly how we like it.
With around 40 locations mostly in eastern NC, Smithfield’s has stayed true to its roots while becoming a reliable pit stop for locals who want food that tastes like home cooking without the dishes.
3. Cook Out: Late-Night Chicken Champion
Cook Out saved my college years! Founded in Greensboro in 1989, this late-night savior might be known for burgers, but their chicken game deserves serious respect.
Those chicken strips with Cook Out sauce have fueled countless study sessions and post-concert munchies. The genius of Cook Out is their tray system – where else can you get chicken, two sides, AND a milkshake for under $7?
My roommates and I developed a theory that Cook Out chicken tastes even better after midnight. Whether that’s science or just hunger, I’m not sure, but their drive-thru lines stretching around the block at 1 AM prove I’m not alone in my chicken devotion.
4. K&W Cafeterias: The Grandparent-Approved Chicken
My grandmother judges all fried chicken against K&W’s golden standard. Since 1937, this Winston-Salem institution has been serving cafeteria-style comfort food that’s become legendary across generations.
The fried chicken at K&W has that perfect old-school quality – not overly complicated, just perfectly executed. I love watching the servers carefully place that crispy chicken leg quarter on your tray alongside mac and cheese and green beans.
K&W might not be exclusively chicken-focused, but ask any North Carolinian about their best cafeteria memories, and that perfectly fried chicken will come up every time. It’s Southern comfort food preserved in its purest form.
5. Biscuitville: Breakfast Chicken Perfection
The smell of fresh biscuits hits you before you even open the car door! Though technically born in Virginia, Biscuitville relocated to Greensboro and has become North Carolina’s morning chicken destination.
Their fried chicken filets tucked into those scratch-made biscuits have saved me from many a morning meeting disaster. The brilliance is in their simplicity – locally sourced ingredients transformed into breakfast heaven in just 15 minutes.
Last summer, I watched in awe as my nephew devoured three chicken biscuits in one sitting. When I asked his secret, he just shrugged and said, “It’s Biscuitville.” No further explanation needed when you’re talking about North Carolina’s breakfast chicken champion.
6. Hardee’s: The Hometown Giant
Before it became a national name, Hardee’s was just our local Greenville pride and joy! Founded in the 1960s, this chain might have expanded nationwide, but North Carolinians claim special ownership of those star-shaped biscuits and hand-breaded chicken.
Growing up, getting Hardee’s chicken tenders was the ultimate treat. My dad would swing through the drive-thru after Little League games, win or lose, and those crispy tenders made everything better.
Though now part of a bigger corporation, Hardee’s maintains that small-town Carolina charm in its chicken offerings. When friends from out of state mention Hardee’s, I can’t help but proudly remind them where it all started – right here in North Carolina.
7. White Swan Bar-B-Que & Fried Chicken: The Local Legend
White Swan isn’t trying to take over the world – they’re happy being Smithfield’s beloved chicken institution! First time I visited, the parking lot was filled with everything from work trucks to Mercedes, proving good chicken transcends all boundaries.
Their chicken has that distinctly North Carolina quality – perfectly seasoned, never greasy, and always consistent. The family-run operation means someone named Swan has likely touched your food, keeping quality control tighter than Fort Knox.
Though smaller than other chains on this list, White Swan’s devoted following makes it a regional powerhouse. My cousin drove two hours just to serve their chicken at his wedding rehearsal dinner – that’s the kind of loyalty White Swan inspires.
8. Price’s Chicken Coop: The Charlotte Institution
“Cash only!” That’s what the sign said at Price’s for decades, and Charlotte folks gladly emptied their wallets for what many consider the state’s best fried chicken. Founded in 1962 by the Price brothers, this no-frills spot became the great equalizer – where bank executives and construction workers stood in the same line.
Though technically not a chain with multiple locations, Price’s influence on North Carolina chicken culture is undeniable. Their perfectly seasoned, pressure-fried chicken created the blueprint that many chains tried to follow.
When they closed in 2021, I witnessed grown adults crying in the final line. That’s not just fried chicken – that’s a piece of North Carolina’s soul in a cardboard box.