San Antonio is getting a new player in the chicken wars. Starbird, a California-born fast-casual chicken chain, is heading to Texas in a 36-unit development deal that will spread the brand across several major metros. The move gives the West Coast concept a quick runway into Austin and Houston and ranks as one of its biggest out-of-state pushes so far.
According to the San Antonio Business Journal, the agreement names Mac Haik Restaurant Group as the Texas developer and covers stores in San Antonio, Austin and Houston. That local report also notes this is the largest franchise deal Starbird has signed to date.
In a company release covered by Nation's Restaurant News, Starbird called the pact the largest development deal in its history and said the first Texas locations are expected to open in 2027. CEO Greg Levin described Texas as "a critical market," and Mac Haik leadership said the brand’s chef-driven chicken concept lines up with the group’s long-term growth strategy.
Industry Context And Footprint
Restaurant Dive frames the move as part of an ongoing chicken boom, noting that Starbird is a roughly 19-unit "super-premium" concept and that higher-end chicken brands have become prime candidates for rapid expansion. The outlet also reports that Dallas-Fort Worth could be on Starbird’s radar once it establishes some scale in Texas.
What Starbird Will Serve
Starbird centers its menu on fresh, never-frozen, antibiotic-free chicken that is hand-breaded in a gluten-friendly coating. The lineup includes tenders, sandwiches, nuggets, wings and salads as core items. Those menu and franchise details appear on the company’s site, which also outlines typical restaurant sizes and investment ranges for multi-unit operators. Starbird’s franchise page lists the brand’s site criteria and fee structure for prospective partners.
How This Fits Into Texas' Chicken Scene
Once it lands, Starbird will be one more contender in a crowded premium chicken field across Texas, where other large agreements are already in motion, including Layne’s Chicken Fingers with a 44-unit deal. The San Antonio Current notes that Starbird has not yet announced specific San Antonio addresses or firm opening dates.
Mac Haik Restaurant Group, which operates concepts such as First Watch along with other Texas eateries, will handle development of the new locations and plans to announce individual sites as leases are signed and permits are in place. Local coverage indicates the rollout is expected to begin in 2027, with openings paced as the group secures real estate and builds out staffing.
