Wingstop among 5 chicken shops opened or coming soon in 2024

Watford Observer readers have regularly remarked on how many have been coming to the area recently, but what are they?

These are the five that have either opened or look to be opening so far in 2024.

• Wingstop attracts queues of customers after Watford launch
• Chicken shop chain opens newest location in Watford
• Popeyes confirms Watford chicken restaurant on its way

Wingstop

Wingstop Watford on opening day. (Image: Wingstop)

American chain Wingstop attracted queues around the block when it opened in the former Honest Burger unit in Market Street on March 30.

Customers raced to be among the first 100 through the door and receive free wings.

Wingstop has been on a major expansion drive in the UK so far this year, aiming to open a total of 15 restaurants in 2024.

Wingers

Wingers Watford operators Raj (left) and Jas (right) Dhillon. (Image: Raj Dhillon)

UK chain Wingers arrived in The Parade at 11am on May 29, serving wings, tenders, burgers, wraps, and loaded fries to High Street customers.

The chicken shop is in the unit previously occupied by Take a Wok, next to Wenzel’s the Bakers, and can seat 32 people.

The family-run chain, which first launched in Lichfield in 2022, was set up by Amran and Dylan Sunner and dad Bill and will be open from 11am to 10pm.

Popeye’s

Popeyes in Chelmsford, Essex. (Image: Alamy/Pa)

Another American brand, Popeyes, based in Louisiana, appears to be on its way to taking over the two-storey former Grounded Kitchen unit at 43 High Street.

The chicken chain has been recruiting part-time and full-time staff in Watford and was recently granted permission to put its signs up outside the unit.

No opening date has been confirmed.

Nando’s

Woodside Leisure Centre. (Image: Google Street View)

According to Woodside Leisure Park, another Nando’s location for Watford will be opening there "this summer".

There are currently two of the company’s restaurants in the high street.

The new one appears set to open in the former Frankie & Benny’s unit at the leisure park, based on approved signage plans.

Unnamed restaurant

The vacant unit in 2021. (Image: Google Street View)

Plans for another chicken restaurant hit a bump in the road when Watford Borough Council refused to grant permission for a kitchen extractor flue at the former Zeynep Food Centre unit on the corner of Whippendell Road and Queens Avenue.

The owners of the unspecified chicken business looking to open in Watford were told that using the unit as a restaurant was acceptable but will need to amend the plans or find a new location before a restaurant can start serving customers.