Colorado-born chicken chain Birdcall is flying into the Indianapolis area with plans for a five-store rollout, adding yet another fast-casual bird to Central Indiana’s already packed roost. The company has confirmed the expansion but is keeping exact storefronts and opening dates close to the vest, leaving local brokers and hungry diners to scour leasing notices and building permits for clues.
As reported by WTHR, Birdcall says it intends to open five restaurants across the greater Indianapolis metro. Company representatives say the move is part of a broader push into the Midwest and have floated a goal of reaching as many as 200 locations nationwide by the end of 2028.
What Birdcall Will Serve
On the menu, it is all about made-to-order chicken. Birdcall features eight signature sandwiches, hand-cut tenders and an 8-piece gluten-free nugget option, with sides that include fries, tater tots and loaded tots. Hand-spun milkshakes share space with draft beer and house-made margaritas on the drink board. The chain’s online menu notes options to swap in grilled chicken or gluten-free buns and calls out allergen information, according to Birdcall.
How Birdcall Is Growing
Birdcall currently runs about 17 restaurants across Colorado, Arizona and Texas, and the company says nearly 20 additional locations are already in development as it recruits franchisees for the Midwest. Industry reporting outlines a plan to add nearly 100 locations across six Midwestern states over the next five years, along with details on franchise economics such as Average Unit Volumes and estimated investment ranges. That coverage is laid out by QSR Magazine.
Where In Indy They Are Targeting
Company statements point to the Carmel, Fishers and Westfield corridor, along with the southern portion of the metro, as priority development zones, although no specific sites have been named. That strategy is meant to tap population growth and new retail corridors while leaving room for either freestanding stores or drive-thru endcaps, depending on how deals come together, according to WTHR. Local commercial brokers say those stretches are already on the short list for many national brands thanks to strong population gains and a healthy retail pipeline.
How It Fits The Local Market
Birdcall is stepping into an Indianapolis chicken scene already dominated by national heavyweights. Chick-fil-A, for one, has announced six new locally owned restaurants across the metro in 2026, underscoring the muscle that established brands bring to the table. Birdcall, by contrast, pitches itself as a fast-casual alternative with craft sauces, milkshakes and a more developed sides lineup that could appeal to diners looking for something a bit different from standard quick-service fare. Chick-fil-A’s expansion plans were outlined in a company press release earlier this year, as reported by Chick-fil-A.
Birdcall’s local partners have not offered firm opening dates, and the company says specific Indianapolis addresses will be revealed later through its franchise rollout materials. For now, developers and diners will be watching lease filings and permitting records as the brand quietly sets the stage for its area debut, per QSR Magazine.
