A new halal fast-food concept called Flying Chicken is lining up for a possible landing on South Howell Avenue, just east of Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. The proposal would flip a roughly 750-square-foot former car-wash bay next to an existing gas station into a counter-focused restaurant built around broasted chicken. The plan calls for daily dine-in and carryout service, plus catering, with hours aimed at everyone from early-shift workers to late-night travelers. The catch: it still needs city approval before anything starts frying.
What the application says
As reported by Urban Milwaukee, the application lays out a menu built on original and spicy broasted chicken served with a roll, coleslaw and a choice of sauce. Sample offerings also include wings, tenders, fish fry, rice platters, burgers and sandwiches like gyros and cheesesteaks. The filing markets Flying Chicken as 100% halal, notes that there are no plans to serve alcohol, and lists proposed daily hours from 7 a.m. to midnight if the city signs off.
Who’s behind the plan
City records list Khadija Inayat as a licensee tied to filings for the Howell Avenue site. A Milwaukee Common Council Legistar entry shows Inayat previously sought extended hours for the neighboring Airport Petroleum station, which sits next to the proposed restaurant space (Milwaukee Common Council). The application names Shahzad Ahmad as the registered agent. Nearby Baithak of Punjab appears in local business listings as an example of recent commercial activity on Howell Avenue (Baithak of Punjab).
How the proposal fits local change
The Flying Chicken pitch arrives amid a run of changes on this stretch of South Howell. The long-running Airport Lounge at 5881 S. Howell Ave. closed after more than 40 years, per "makes its final landing", and a separate project called The Terminal recently secured Licenses Committee backing for a banquet hall, according to Urban Milwaukee. Together, those closures and new filings have put the blocks closest to Mitchell Airport under a brighter spotlight for small-scale redevelopment.
Why the location matters
Proximity to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport could give a small, fast-turnaround operation a steady stream of shift workers, travelers and delivery orders. The airport has been emphasizing local partnerships and homegrown concessions this year, spotlighting itself as a growing showcase for Milwaukee food and beverage brands (MKE press release).
Next steps
The license application for Flying Chicken is currently listed as pending before the Milwaukee Common Council. Council action will determine whether the project can move ahead with converting the car-wash bay and opening to customers. For now, the timeline remains up in the air while the city reviews the filing and any required approvals.
