10 Fried Chicken Chains That Have Georgia Absolutely Hooked
Georgia knows fried chicken the way I know my grandmother’s kitchen—intimately, lovingly, and with a whole lot of respect. Growing up in the Peach State, Sundays weren’t complete without a bucket of crispy, golden chicken from a local spot we swore made it better than anywhere else.
Across Georgia, from the bustling streets of Atlanta to the slow-paced charm of Savannah, fried chicken isn’t just food—it’s a point of pride.
Georgians have strong, unwavering loyalties to their favorite joints, debating crunch levels, seasoning blends, and frying methods with the same intensity they reserve for college football. Here are the finger-lickin’ spots that have truly won Georgia’s heart—and appetite.
1. Chick-fil-A: The Hometown Hero
Born right in Atlanta in 1946, Chick-fil-A isn’t just a restaurant to Georgians—it’s practically a cultural institution! I still remember my dad taking me to the original Dwarf House location as a kid, telling me this was ‘Georgia’s gift to the world.’
The signature pressure-cooked chicken sandwich with its buttery bun and two pickle chips has spawned countless imitators, but nothing quite captures the magic. Their sweet tea flows like liquid gold through the state’s veins.
The company’s closed-on-Sunday policy somehow makes Georgians crave it more on that day. Funny how the chicken you can’t have always tastes better in your imagination! Their customer service training must include a mandatory class in Southern charm.
2. Popeyes: Spicy Sensation
Whoever decided to bring Popeyes to Georgia deserves a medal for bravery! Taking spicy chicken to a state that prides itself on its own recipes was a gamble that paid off spectacularly. The first time I bit into their crispy, craggly crust, my taste buds did a happy dance I didn’t know was possible.
Those signature red beans and rice alongside buttery biscuits create a meal that feels like Mardi Gras in your mouth. Georgia folks will drive an extra 20 minutes just to get to a Popeyes with a working ice cream machine for dessert.
My college roommate once ate nothing but Popeyes for an entire week during finals. He passed all his exams but couldn’t look at chicken for a month afterward!
3. Zaxby’s: Sauce Boss
Sauce fanatics, unite! Zaxby’s started in Statesboro, Georgia, and has been making us debate our favorite dipping options ever since. My personal Zaxby’s ritual involves ordering extra Zax Sauce and strategically rationing it throughout the meal like liquid gold.
Their Chicken Fingerz™ (yes, with a Z) achieve that perfect balance between crispy exterior and juicy interior that keeps Georgians coming back. The Zalads—another unnecessarily Z-ified menu item—somehow make eating healthy feel indulgent.
Last summer, my cousin and I had a heated argument about whether Nuclear or Insane was the spicier wing sauce. We ended up ordering both and crying through the entire meal. Worth it? Absolutely.
4. Bojangles: Breakfast Champion
Morning commuters across Georgia would rather be late to work than miss their Bojangles breakfast fix. Their cajun-spiced biscuits have saved more Monday mornings than coffee! My first apartment was strategically chosen to be within walking distance of a Bojangles.
Something magical happens when their seasoned fries meet that signature chicken—a flavor combination that’s become the unofficial taste of Georgia road trips. The sweet tea deserves its own fan club, perfectly balancing sweetness without crossing into syrup territory.
Grandma Betty, my 92-year-old neighbor, has gone every Tuesday at 8:15 AM for the past decade. The staff starts preparing her usual order (Cajun filet biscuit, no mayo) the moment her silver Buick pulls into the lot.
5. Mrs. Winner’s: Nostalgic Nibbles
Walking into a Mrs. Winner’s is like stepping into a time machine back to simpler days. This Atlanta-born chain has survived bankruptcy and closures because Georgians simply refuse to live without those honey-buttered biscuits! I discovered them during a high school road trip and became an instant convert.
Their chicken has that old-school, no-frills approach that reminds you of Sunday dinners at grandma’s house. The cinnamon rolls are criminally underrated—seriously, they deserve their own holiday.
After they briefly disappeared from Georgia in 2010, my uncle started a Facebook group called “Bring Back Mrs. Winner’s” that gained over 2,000 members. When they reopened in Stockbridge, he drove 78 miles round-trip just to get a chicken dinner with extra cinnamon rolls.
6. Church’s Chicken: Budget-Friendly Bliss
Church’s has been blessing Georgia with affordable deliciousness since 1952! Their honey-butter biscuits are so good they should be illegal—I’ve watched grown adults fight over the last one at family gatherings.
College students across Georgia universities worship at the altar of Church’s $5 specials during exam week. The spicy chicken has just enough kick to wake up your brain cells without setting your mouth on fire. Their jalapeño bombers have been known to cure both hangovers and heartbreak.
My brother once applied for a job there just to learn their biscuit recipe. He didn’t get hired but spent the next three years perfecting his copycat version. Still not quite right, according to our Church’s-obsessed family, but an admirable effort nonetheless!
7. Publix Deli: Supermarket Surprise
Plot twist! Some of Georgia’s best fried chicken lurks behind the deli counter of our beloved Publix supermarkets. The first time my Florida cousin visited and I suggested Publix chicken for dinner, she laughed. The laughter stopped after her first bite.
Perfectly seasoned and consistently crispy, this supermarket gem creates traffic jams around lunchtime as workers rush to secure their eight-piece box. The mac and cheese side will make you want to slap your mama (though I don’t recommend actually doing that).
During the big snowstorm of 2014, my neighborhood Publix stayed open when everything else closed. The deli manager kept frying chicken until midnight, becoming a local hero to stranded families. We still call him “The Colonel” to this day.
8. Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken: Spice Pilgrimage
Hallelujah for the day Gus’s expanded into Georgia! This Tennessee transplant brought its cayenne-kissed crust to Atlanta, creating lines around the block on opening day. I camped out for three hours just to be among the first to try it—worth every minute of waiting.
The chicken here sports a mahogany-colored shell that shatters gloriously with each bite, revealing juicy meat underneath. Their sides are no afterthought either—fried okra and chess pie complete the Southern trifecta of deliciousness.
My vegetarian sister broke a five-year meatless streak after smelling Gus’s chicken. “I’ll start again tomorrow,” she said, licking spicy crumbs from her fingers. She’s still eating chicken three years later, blaming Gus’s entirely for her dietary conversion.
9. Raising Cane’s: Finger Fanatics
Georgians nearly lost their minds when Raising Cane’s finally arrived in our state! Specializing in one thing—chicken fingers—and doing it better than anyone else has earned them a cult following. My neighbor took a day off work just to be at the Athens grand opening.
The secret weapon here is their legendary Cane’s sauce, a tangy, peppery concoction that could make cardboard taste good. Not that their perfectly tender chicken strips need any help! The Texas toast serves as the perfect sauce-sopping tool.
During finals week at UGA, the line stretches around the block at midnight. I’ve witnessed students trading homework help for someone to hold their place in line. Priorities, people—and in Georgia, Cane’s has definitely become one!
10. Krispy Krunchy Chicken: Gas Station Gem
Hidden inside unassuming gas stations across Georgia lurks some of the state’s most addictive fried chicken! Krispy Krunchy’s cajun-spiced masterpieces have turned fuel stops into food destinations. I discovered them during a road trip to Savannah when my tank and stomach were both running on empty.
The chicken emerges hot and fresh throughout the day, with a distinctively craggy, super-crispy crust that maintains its crunch even hours later. Their honey-butter biscuits have caused more than one Georgian to miss their exit while eating and driving (not recommended, but understandable).
My best friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner was catered by Krispy Krunchy after the original restaurant canceled. The bride’s Louisiana relatives declared it better than anything back home—high praise indeed!