Why are there so many chicken places in and around the Tacoma Mall?
There are six chicken restaurants within just over a half-mile radius from the Tacoma Mall — and that number will grow to seven with the incoming Dave’s Hot Chicken next year.
Fried chicken chains have been around for decades, but more and more businesses are entering the market and skyrocketing in popularity.
In fact, foot traffic analytics platform Placer.ai found that overall visits to chicken chains in the U.S. increased from 2024 to 2025, while visits to pizza, burger and sandwich chains declined.
The National Chicken Council, a trade association representing the chicken industry, also found that the average American consumed over 100 pounds of chicken in 2025 alone, compared to about 39 pounds 50 years ago.
Jollibee opened two years ago at the Tacoma Mall, and it’s now one of three locations in the state. The Filipino chain offers fried chicken, sandwiches and some other dishes like palabok and Filipino spaghetti.
It’s currently the only chicken restaurant at the mall itself, but that’s about to change.
Dave’s Hot Chicken is set to open at the Village at Tacoma Mall in the first quarter of 2026, as previously reported by The News Tribune. The fast-growing chain has three locations in Washington, the closest being in Seattle. The menu includes tenders and sandwiches with six spice levels available, from no spice to “Reaper.”
Angelina Lozano, who works at Jollibee’s front counter, said everyone is worried about the competition that Dave’s will bring.
Still, she said the Filipino influence on the food makes Jollibee stand out.
“It’s very nostalgic to the Filipino community,” Lozano said. “A lot of older people come here with their families because it reminds them of their home.”
Just up the street is Super Chix, which opened in Tacoma in 2024.
The national chain has five locations in Washington, with a menu centered around chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads and a rotating variety of frozen custard.
Nearby is the mega-popular Chick-fil-A, which set up shop on S Steele Street in 2015. Along with its simple chicken sandwich, the chain also sells nuggets, chicken strips, salads and breakfast options.
There’s also Krispy Krunchy Chicken, located inside the Circle K behind the mall on S Oakes Street. The Louisiana-born chain has locations in 48 states, but the stores are mostly inside gas stations, convenience stores or stadiums.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken specializes in Cajun-spiced chicken and offers fried chicken, tenders, wings, nuggets and chicken sandwiches.
Across the street from the mall is Buffalo Wild Wings, which opened in Tacoma in 2011. A second location in the city opened last year.
Around the corner on S 38th Street is Wingstop, which has a more limited menu of wings, tenders and chicken sandwiches. This store opened in 2015 and is one of two locations in Tacoma.
Jorge Conzuelo, general manager of the S 38th Street location, said Buffalo Wild Wings is the restaurant’s most direct competition, but he’s not worried.
“We’re better than them,” Conzuelo said.
Outside the area surrounding the mall, Tacoma has nine other chicken restaurants, bringing the city’s grand total to 15.
These include spots like Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles and The Chicken Supply, along with national chains Big Chicken and Popeye’s.
But why exactly have chicken chains gotten so popular?
Conzuelo said he thinks the football culture in America is a big part of it, since chicken wings and fried chicken are popular game day snacks.
But at the end of the day, he believes there’s an even simpler reason.
“Everybody likes chicken,” he said.
This story was originally published December 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
