Urban Bird Hot Chicken is opening a new location near La Cantera in Northwest San Antonio, with construction expected to finish by summer 2026. The Katy-based chain is investing a six-figure amount into the build-out for the fast-casual restaurant.
The company already has a San Antonio location in Stone Oak and plans more local storefronts. The new site at 17603 La Cantera Parkway is in a busy retail corridor, adding another dining option to the area, according to San Antonio Business Journal.
About Urban Bird
The concept launched in Katy in September 2020 and has taken off across Texas with a mix of company-owned and franchise stores, Community Impact reports. The veteran-owned brand leans on Halal, antibiotic-free chicken and a straightforward comfort-food lineup of hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and loaded fries. That formula has helped Urban Bird expand into multiple metro areas in just a few years.
Where It Will Be
Urban Bird’s own website lists a La Cantera restaurant at 17603 La Cantera Parkway, Ste. 119, tagged as coming soon. Urban Bird’s site slots the La Cantera storefront alongside other Texas openings and lines up with local reporting that the brand is making a deliberate Northwest Side push.
Brandon Gawthorp, owner of Urban Bird, told the Business Journal that he believes hot chicken will remain popular. He said he spent months perfecting the recipe and that opening new corporate and franchised stores is a key part of Urban Bird’s growth plan.
San Antonio Openings So Far
Urban Bird officially debuted in San Antonio with its Stone Oak restaurant on September 4, 2025, at 22106 Hwy. 281, Ste. 102, as per Community Impact. The chain’s San Antonio pages also list a Potranco Road location and the forthcoming La Cantera site, suggesting multiple local restaurants are either already serving or currently under construction.
Why This Matters
Hot chicken outfits have become a fixture of Texas’s fast-casual landscape, and Urban Bird’s La Cantera play is another sign that regional brands are scaling quickly, the Chron notes. For La Cantera shoppers and nearby residents, the new spot will mean one more quick-service option in a retail node that rarely seems to slow down.
Construction is expected to finish by summer, and the company and local outlets say customers should keep an eye on the brand’s website for the official opening date, hours and menu details. Urban Bird’s site is set to host the formal announcement once a grand-opening date is locked in.
