Food hall operator Wonder has acquired Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, a fast-casual eatery in New York City. The acquisition includes the brand, its single East Village location, and its employees. Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed. The announcement was made on Monday, according to Eater.
The acquisition of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken is part of Wonder’s ongoing expansion efforts. The company has announced plans to open 1,000 locations by the end of the decade and is preparing for a potential IPO in 2028. The deal provides Wonder full ownership of the brand, including its established presence in New York City. Company leadership has expressed interest in growing the brand as part of its broader portfolio, as per PR Newswire.
Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken, which began as a spinoff in 2013, has expanded beyond Manhattan to locations in Las Vegas, Miami, Boston, Nashville, and Philadelphia, according to Eater. The acquisition marks a new chapter for the brand as it becomes part of Wonder’s portfolio, with plans to bring the restaurant’s offerings to a broader customer base.
Wonder plans to introduce Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken to at least one of its nearly 20 New York City locations this year, alongside other offerings such as Streetbird from Marcus Samuelsson, Walnut Lane from Jonathan Waxman, and Jota by José Andrés. A broader rollout to additional locations is expected in the future. The existing East Village location will continue operating as usual, with menu items still available through third-party delivery services.
