Less than a year and a half after its much-heralded opening, the Chicken Guy restaurant in Livonia will serve its last chicken tender. The Detroit Free Press reports that the establishment, part of a fast-casual chicken chain owned by Food Network personality Guy Fieri, ceased operations at the end of business day yesterday. The announcement came as a surprise after the location commemorated its first anniversary in March with giveaways and appeared poised for growth.
The Tomey Group, which operates over 50 Jimmy John's locations in southeast Michigan and is responsible for the operation of this particular Chicken Guy outpost, cited "unforeseen circumstances beyond our control" as the reason for the closure. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Group expressed its gratitude for "the patronage we have received from our loyal customers and the local community" and committed to facilitating a "smooth transition for our team members" by offering them opportunities within its other businesses.
The Chicken Guy menu, known for its array of chicken tenders and a selection of specialty scratch-made sauces, as well as chicken sandwiches and assorted sides like fries and mac 'n cheese, had garnered a local following. Initially, the opening of the Livonia location, detailed by The Detroit News, marked the start of an ambitious expansion that was to include 20 restaurants across metro Detroit over the next 10 years.
Amid the competitive fast-food landscape of Livonia, where the establishment was situated among multiple other chicken-centric eateries, the closing of Chicken Guy adds to a narrative of a saturated market. According to The Detroit News, factors such as the proximity to competitors like Chick-fil-A and Lee's Famous Recipe may have influenced the establishment's lifespan. Guy Fieri had emphasized the importance of finding the right partners and maintaining high standards for the chain's expansion into Michigan. Despite the closure, another location inside Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant remains operational, capturing the original spirit that Fieri had for the brand.
As reported by WXYZ, the Livonia location's management confirmed their plans to stay open until 9 p.m. on the final day or until their supply of chicken is exhausted, whichever comes first. With the closure of this location, Chicken Guy's presence in Michigan will be limited to the sole establishment at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort in Mount Pleasant.
