The Crispy Chick, the compact fried‑chicken shop that opened on Woodland Avenue in 2019, is spreading its wings to Parma Heights this fall. Owner Senayt Fekadu plans to turn the former Burger King at 6671 Pearl Road into a 40- to 50-seat restaurant with a drive‑through, giving the growing brand a high‑visibility perch on a busy stretch of Pearl Road. The original Woodland spot will stay put, while regulars can look forward to the same tight menu with a couple of new items slipped in for good measure.
Owner frames expansion as community‑minded growth
As reported by Cleveland Scene, Fekadu, an Eritrean immigrant who opened The Crispy Chick at 5618 Woodland Ave. in 2019, said the move is “about providing quality food at a good price” and about employing local young people. Cleveland Scene also notes the owner plans only a few menu additions, including a Caesar salad and a Caesar sandwich, while keeping the core tenders and sandwiches that built the brand.
City approvals cleared the way
Public records from the city show 6671 Pearl Road, LLC applied for a conditional‑use permit to add a drive‑through, and the Planning Commission held a Dec. 1 public hearing before recommending approval to council. According to the City of Parma Heights council packet, the council recorded the permit and associated variances and conditions in January. The city materials spell out the application timeline and the parking variances tied to the project.
What the Parma Heights location will look like
The planned build will fit into the former Burger King footprint at 6671 Pearl Road and is expected to offer indoor seating for roughly 40 to 50 guests plus a drive‑through lane. Cleveland Scene reports the design will be more refined than the original shop, reflecting lessons learned since 2019, while operations at the Woodland location will remain unchanged. The pared‑down menu will stay focused on tenders and sandwiches, with the Caesar additions there to answer customer requests.
A small brand with local roots
The Crispy Chick promotes itself as a women‑ and minority‑owned business that emphasizes fresh ingredients and scratch sauces, and the restaurant’s site lists the Woodland address and the concept’s mission. According to local food coverage, the shop has built a loyal following for a simple, value‑driven chicken menu. Placing a second location on Pearl Road puts the brand on a high‑traffic commercial corridor where new development has been drawing more restaurants and customers.
The owner has said she hopes to open the Parma Heights spot this fall, but the city packet also notes conditional‑use approvals carry time limits tied to construction or commencement of use that could shape the timeline. Work on permits and site renovations will determine whether that target holds. We will update when a firm opening date and final storefront plans are posted.
