BIRDCODE's original West Hartford restaurant is set to reopen Wednesday, Oct. 28, after closing temporarily for a full renovation, with milkshakes and specialty drinks hitting the menu there for the first time ever. The hot chicken chain says the refreshed location at 120 Park Road will welcome customers back at 11 a.m., complete with new fixtures, furniture and kitchen equipment inside a redesigned space.
A Renovated Flagship Returns
BIRDCODE confirmed the reopening date on its own website, writing simply, “West Hartford will reopen on Wednesday, October 28!” according to BIRDCODE. As Patch reports, the chain is calling 120 Park Road its flagship restaurant, and the renovation touches nearly every part of the space, from new fixtures and furniture to upgraded kitchen equipment. It's the same address where BIRDCODE originally opened in 2020, per the same outlet.
The menu overhaul is just as notable as the physical remodel. The West Hartford spot will introduce milkshakes and specialty drinks for the first time, the report notes, expanding beyond the chicken-focused lineup that built the brand's reputation. Seasonal additions include Slidekicks chicken sliders, Caramel Apple Ginger Ale and Spiced Brown Sugar Root Beer, alongside Toasted Coconut and Mint Chocolate Chip milkshakes.
From Ben & Jerry's Franchisees to Hot Chicken Founders
BIRDCODE traces its roots to Phil and Brandi Killoran, who opened the first restaurant in West Hartford in November 2020 after previously owning several Connecticut Ben & Jerry's franchises, according to The Hour. At the time, We-Ha described BIRDCODE as West Hartford's and Central Connecticut's first Nashville Hot Chicken concept, with Brandi Killoran identified in that report as co-owner alongside her husband.
That original restaurant served chicken sandwiches, tenders and nuggets across five escalating spice levels, The Hour reports, ranging from the no-heat Country level up through the fiery Code Breaker, with mild, medium and hot tiers in between. Sides have included fries, mac and cheese, and slaw. BIRDCODE's broader menu is built around fresh, never-frozen chicken brined for 18 to 24 hours, hand-breaded and cooked to order, per Patch's reporting.
Reopening Day Festivities and a Halloween Deal
Country 92.5 (WWYZ) is scheduled to be on site at the West Hartford restaurant from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on reopening day, according to The Hour, with Brandon Clay and the station's promotional team providing music and giveaways. BIRDCODE is also listed with the Country 92.5 appearance as part of its reopening plans.
Shoppers won't have to wait long for a deal, either. BIRDCODE will offer customers $5 off any order on Saturday, Oct. 31, Patch reports, with online and mobile-app customers able to use the promo code BOO at checkout for the Halloween discount.
Growth Across Connecticut and Beyond
The West Hartford reopening comes amid a broader expansion push for the chain. BIRDCODE currently operates restaurants in Brookfield, Cheshire, Darien, New Britain, Plainville and Vernon, Connecticut, as well as Hanover, Massachusetts, according to The Hour. The company's location count has been reported differently elsewhere: the CT Bites founder profile put the total at seven locations and growing as of its publication, while Total Food reported four locations in its own coverage.
Plainville marked BIRDCODE's seventh Connecticut location and its first franchised restaurant, operated by Fran McCormack and Paul Brault, according to the Hartford Business Journal. The outlet also reports that BIRDCODE plans to open two restaurants in Massachusetts later this year. Total Food, meanwhile, noted that the company's first franchise deal was struck in Vernon, Connecticut, and that BIRDCODE has confirmed expansion plans into multiple states.
