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Guthrie's

Guthrie's is an American fast-casual, franchised restaurant chain headquartered in Auburn, Alabama, specializing in golden fried chicken fingers served with a signature sauce.^[1]^[2] Founded in 1965 by Hal Guthrie, an Auburn University alumnus, the chain originated as a drive-in restaurant in Haleyville, Alabama, initially offering a broader menu that included hamburgers and other items.^[1] In 1978, Guthrie's introduced its focus on chicken fingers, which became the cornerstone of its offerings, and by 1982, under the leadership of Chris Guthrie, it transitioned to a chicken finger-only concept, pioneering the category in the fast-food industry.^[1] The chain's world-famous sauce, developed by Hal Guthrie's son Hud through a family recipe contest, accompanies the marinated and hand-breaded chicken tenders, along with sides like crinkle-cut fries and Texas toast.^[1] Since its expansion with a key location in Auburn in 1982, Guthrie's has grown through franchising, reaching over 70 locations across 13 states as of late 2025, and has expanded into the Carolinas in 2025, including its first locations in South Carolina and North Carolina.^[3]^[4] The brand emphasizes Southern hospitality and quality ingredients, competing with national chains like Raising Cane's while maintaining its regional roots in Alabama, where it operates 33 stores as of October 2025.^[5]^[6]

History

Founding

Guthrie's was established in 1965 as a drive-in restaurant in Haleyville, Alabama, by Hal Guthrie, a native of Jasper, Alabama, and an alumnus of Auburn University.^[1]^[7] Motivated by a desire to pursue entrepreneurship in his home state, Guthrie left a stable job at a major company to launch the venture, drawing on his deep ties to Alabama's culture and community.^[8] The initial menu at the Haleyville location emphasized a variety of general fast-food and Southern-style items, including hamburgers, shrimp, and onion rings, reflecting the broad appeal of drive-in dining in the region during the 1960s.^[8] This assortment catered to local tastes and provided a casual eating experience for families and passersby along Alabama's roadways. Operated as a family-run establishment from its outset, the original Guthrie's served the Haleyville community through a simple drive-in model that emphasized quick service and personal interaction, with Guthrie overseeing daily operations in the early years.^[8] Following his marriage to Melissa Savage in 1966, the business incorporated family involvement, maintaining a close-knit approach to management.^[9] Hal Guthrie died on September 30, 2019, at age 82, but the family continued to guide the company.^[7] Later, in 1978, the menu transitioned to focus primarily on chicken fingers as the core offering.^[8] In 1968, Hal Guthrie developed the foundational breading recipe for the restaurant's chicken, which involved a unique marinade process to enhance flavor and tenderness, a method that remains in use today.^[10] This innovation laid the groundwork for Guthrie's eventual specialization in chicken products, distinguishing it through a focus on quality preparation techniques. Chicken fingers were introduced to the menu in 1978, becoming the core offering and complementing items like hand-cut coleslaw and crinkle-cut fries.^[11]^[1] That same year, Guthrie's created "The Original Box" combo, featuring five fried chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, and Texas toast, which became the signature meal format and encapsulated the restaurant's streamlined, innovation-driven menu philosophy.^[12] Family members, including Hal's relatives, contributed to refining these elements, further solidifying the product's appeal.^[1] The full transition to a chicken finger-only concept occurred in 1982.

Expansion and franchising

In 1982, Chris Guthrie, son of founder Hal Guthrie, opened the chain's second location in Auburn, Alabama, marking the first expansion beyond the original Haleyville site.^[13] This outlet pioneered the chicken finger-only format in a repurposed fast-food space near Auburn University.^[14] The third location followed in 1984 in Athens, Georgia, representing Guthrie's initial out-of-state expansion and introducing a drive-thru model to the brand.^[15] Early growth focused on university-adjacent sites to capitalize on student demand, though detailed site strategies are covered elsewhere. By 1997, the family-owned operation had expanded to eight locations across the Southeast, all under direct Guthrie family control.^[16] Franchising launched in 2005, shifting from family ownership to a scalable model that facilitated broader national reach.^[6] This initiative enabled growth to more than 50 locations overall by 2007, though economic challenges in the late 2000s led to closures.^[17] Key expansion milestones included entry into Kentucky in 2015 with the opening of the first site in Erlanger.^[18] In 2022, Guthrie's debuted in Mississippi via its inaugural restaurant in Oxford.^[19] The chain entered the Carolinas in 2025, starting with locations in Lexington, South Carolina, in April and Raleigh, North Carolina, in November.^[20]^[21] An ambitious national franchise plan, announced in 2020, targeted 10-15 new openings annually through multi-unit development agreements and a streamlined drive-thru prototype to support ongoing scaling.^[22]

Core items

Guthrie's menu centers on its signature golden fried chicken fingers, served in various combo sizes that form the backbone of its offerings. These tenders are available individually or as part of structured meals designed for quick, satisfying consumption, emphasizing fresh preparation and portion control.^[12] The core combos include the Little G Combo, featuring two chicken fingers paired with crinkle-cut French fries, a juice box, and Guthrie's signature sauce, catering to lighter appetites or younger diners. Larger options build on this foundation, such as the 3-Finger Combo with three fingers, fries, a 20-ounce drink, and sauce; the 4-Finger Combo adding Texas toast to four fingers with the same sides; and the Original Box, a popular five-finger meal complete with fries, Texas toast, freshly made coleslaw, a 20-ounce drink, and sauce. For bigger meals, the Big G Combo offers six fingers, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, a 32-ounce drink, and two portions of sauce, while a Sandwich Combo assembles three fingers with lettuce and sauce on a toasted bun, accompanied by fries and a drink.^[12] Accompaniments are straightforward and complementary, limited to crinkle-cut fries for a crispy texture, creamy coleslaw for balance, buttery Texas toast for heartiness, and Southern-style sweet tea as the beverage of choice, available in individual servings or gallons for groups. Additional formats like buckets (starting at 25 fingers with sauce) and group trays (50 to 100 fingers) extend these core elements for sharing, but the menu deliberately avoids diversification into burgers, salads, or other proteins, prioritizing quality and simplicity in its chicken-focused lineup.^[12]

Preparation and signature sauce

Guthrie's chicken fingers are prepared using a marinade and breading recipe developed by founder Hal Guthrie in 1968, which remains unchanged across all locations.^[10] The fresh chicken tenders are marinated in this proprietary blend before being hand-breaded and fried to order, ensuring a golden, crispy exterior while maintaining juiciness inside.^[1] This method emphasizes quality and consistency, with each batch cooked fresh upon ordering to deliver hot, flavorful results.^[23] The signature sauce, a cornerstone of Guthrie's identity, was created by Hud Guthrie—son of the founder—during a family competition to develop the ideal accompaniment for the chicken fingers.^[1] Often called legendary, the sauce is served with every order of chicken fingers and has been instrumental in defining the brand's flavor profile since its introduction in the late 1970s.^[24]^[4] The exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, undisclosed to the public to preserve its unique character.^[1] Guthrie's commitment to high-quality ingredients is evident in its policy of using only fresh chicken, avoiding freezers and pre-made items to prioritize taste and texture.^[23] This approach ensures that the chicken fingers and accompanying sauce arrive at the table at peak freshness.^[25]

Operations and growth

Locations

As of early 2025, Guthrie's operated approximately 70 locations across multiple U.S. states, with continued growth bringing the total to more than 70 by mid-2025 and plans for 20 to 25 additional openings that year.^[6]^[26]^[27] The chain maintains a strong presence in the Southeast, particularly Alabama, where it has 33 locations as of October 2025, including the 31st store opened in Vestavia Hills in May 2025.^[5]^[28] Additional states include Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho (with stores in Boise and Meridian), Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada (featuring the first western expansion at 3255 Simmons Street in North Las Vegas), Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia (including the Huntington location opened in December 2024), and recent entries in the Carolinas.^[29]^[30]^[31] Guthrie's location strategy emphasizes placement in college towns, suburban neighborhoods, and high-traffic roadside areas to capitalize on demand for quick-service dining.^[32] This approach supported early growth by targeting areas with high foot and vehicle traffic near universities and busy corridors.^[32] Key recent developments include the 31st Alabama store in 2025 and initial expansions into North and South Carolina announced in April 2025, with the first North Carolina location opening in Raleigh on November 4, 2025.^[28]^[33]^[34] The portfolio comprises a mix of company-owned and franchised units, with franchising driving much of the broader reach.^[32]

Franchising model

Guthrie's initiated its franchising program in 2005 to accelerate expansion beyond its family-owned stores, marking a shift toward broader market penetration while preserving the brand's core focus on chicken fingers.^[6] This model emphasizes a single-menu approach centered exclusively on hand-breaded chicken fingers and the signature sauce, which simplifies operations and ensures consistency across locations by limiting complexity in preparation and inventory management.^[22] By concentrating on one primary item, franchisees can prioritize efficiency, customer service, and community engagement, contributing to above-industry-average profit margins.^[22] In 2020, Guthrie's announced an ambitious national expansion plan targeting 10-15 new restaurant openings annually, supported by nearly a dozen multi-unit development agreements to enter additional U.S. markets such as Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville.^[22] This strategy has facilitated entries into states like Nevada and the Carolinas through franchise partnerships. To uphold quality, the franchising model mandates the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients in all preparations, aligning with the brand's tradition since its menu specialization in 1982.^[22] Franchisees receive comprehensive support, including 134 hours of on-the-job training and 30 hours of classroom instruction covering recipes, sauce production, and adherence to brand standards for operational consistency.^[35] Additional assistance encompasses site selection, lease negotiation, grand opening support, and ongoing field operations to help operators maintain the chain's focus on fresh preparation and customer satisfaction.^[35] This robust framework has driven significant growth, with franchising enabling Guthrie's to reach over 70 locations across 14 states as of late 2025.^[6]^[26]

Company overview

Leadership

Guthrie's was founded in 1965 by Hal Guthrie, who established the first full-service restaurant in Haleyville, Alabama, alongside his wife, Melissa Guthrie, who assisted in early operations.^[1]^[7]^[8] The second generation became deeply involved, with Hal's eldest son, Chris Guthrie (died 2006), partnering with his father to open the influential Auburn location in 1982, marking an early expansion effort.^[7]^[36] Hud Guthrie, another son, contributed to the menu by creating the signature sauce through a family contest in 1978.^[1] Joe Kelly Guthrie, the youngest son, and daughter Anna Margaret Guthrie have also been integral to the business's development.^[10]^[13] Originally structured as a family-owned enterprise, Guthrie's emphasized preserving traditions through generations until the introduction of franchising in the mid-2000s, allowing broader growth while upholding core values.^[6]^[24] Under the current leadership of CEO Joe Kelly Guthrie, who assumed the role following his father's passing in 2019, the company has focused on national expansion, building on the family's legacy to extend the brand across the Southeast and beyond.^[6]^[10]^[37]

Headquarters and employment

Guthrie's is headquartered in Auburn, Alabama, at 2320 Moore's Mill Road, Suite 600, where it functions as the central hub for company-wide operations and recipe oversight to ensure uniformity in food preparation across its franchised locations.^[38]^[1] As a private, family-owned corporation formed in 2004 and controlled by the Guthrie family, the headquarters emphasizes quality control and maintains the original recipes developed by founder Hal Guthrie, including the signature sauce created by his son Hud in the 1970s.^[38]^[1]^[10] The company employs approximately 10 people at its headquarters, focusing on corporate administration, operations support, and assistance for franchise locations as of 2025.^[35] Headquarters staff provide essential franchise support, including in-person training programs at the corporate training center for franchisees and key personnel on operational standards, menu preparation, and service protocols, as well as centralized distribution of the proprietary sauce to uphold recipe integrity.^[32]^[1]

References

[1]
About Us - Guthrie's
Golden Fried Since 1965. In 1965, Hal Guthrie, a proud Auburn Alumni, opened the very first Guthrie's as a drive-in restaurant in Haleyville, Alabama.
[2]
Guthrie's Chicken Information - RocketReach
Founded, 1965 ; Address, 804 E Glenn Ave, Auburn, Alabama 36830, US ; Phone, (205) 486-9222 ; Industry, Restaurants, Hospitality ; Keywords ...
[3]
Where Are They Now? Guthrie's Builds On 20 Years of Franchising
Jan 7, 2025 · The Alabama-based brand has grown to 70 locations nationwide. Guthrie said his goal is to open between 20 and 25 units this year, with slightly less than half ...
[4]
Guthrie's: Home
The Alabama Fried Chicken Chain That Gives Raising Cane's Serious Competition · Iconic Alabama chicken restaurant chain opens its 31st in-state location.About Us · Locations · Join Our Team · Our Menu
[5]
Iconic Alabama chicken restaurant chain opens its 31st in-state ...
May 13, 2025 · Guthrie's, an Alabama-based chicken finger restaurant chain whose history goes back to 1965, opened its 31st in-state location today in Vestavia Hills.
[6]
Founder of Guthrie's Restaurants dies at age 82 - AL.com
Oct 1, 2019 · The Jasper native, a graduate of Auburn University, moved to Haleyville in 1965 where he founded the first Guthrie's restaurant. It wasn't until ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[7]
Hal Guthrie, founder of Guthrie's restaurant chain, dies at 82 - CBS 42
Oct 1, 2019 · Leaving behind a good job at a major company, Guthrie started his first Guthrie's restaurant in Haleyville in 1965. In 1978, Guthrie did ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[8]
Hal Hudson Guthrie Sr. - Northwest Alabamian
Oct 1, 2019 · Hal moved to Haleyville in 1965 where he founded the first Guthrie's Restaurant. He then married Melissa Savage in 1966. They raised 4 ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[9]
Alabama-based Guthrie's chicken restaurants keep clucking along ...
Mar 12, 2021 · Hal Guthrie came up with the chicken-breading recipe in 1968, and to this day, the restaurants use the same marinade and breading recipe that he ...
[10]
The OG in Chicken Fingers is Ready for the Spotlight - QSR Magazine
Dec 21, 2020 · The restaurant added chicken fingers to the menu in 1978, and when ... chicken fingers on the menu,” Guthrie says. “So that'll make ...
[11]
Guthrie's Celebrating 60 Years on July 31 with Discounted Original ...
Jul 23, 2025 · The first Guthrie's restaurant opened its doors in 1965 in Haleyville, Alabama. Hal Guthrie perfected the “Southern golden fried” chicken ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[12]
Our Menu - Guthrie's
### Summary of Guthrie's Menu
[13]
50 years of Guthrie's golden fried chicken - AL.com
Jul 31, 2015 · The Auburn-based restaurant chain started in 1965 in Haleyville, where today the Guthrie family will celebrate their 50th year in business.Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
[14]
The Alabama Fried Chicken Chain That Gives Raising Cane's ...
Aug 1, 2025 · In 1982, he convinced his father to open a second location on Opelika Road in Auburn, Alabama, where he attended school. But to make it work ...
[15]
Guthrie's Chicken Fingers Planning Colorado Location - Retro 102.5
Oct 10, 2025 · Their second location opened in 1982, and by 1997 they still only had eight Guthrie's in the southeast. ... 8. Coopersmith's Pub & Brewing.
[16]
Guthrie's coming to NKY - Cincinnati Enquirer
Oct 16, 2015 · Guthrie's, a chicken finger restaurant from the South, will open Monday at 3340 Mineola Pike in Erlanger. Guthrie's is a fast-food ...
[17]
Guthrie's Opens First Restaurant in Oxford
Aug 31, 2022 · The new Oxford Guthrie's is located at 1506 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655. The restaurant will be open Sunday – Thursday, from 10:00 a.m. ...
[18]
Guthrie's Expands into the Carolinas - PR Newswire
Apr 22, 2025 · The expansion will officially kick off today with the opening of a new location in Lexington, South Carolina, at 2404 Mineral Springs Road.
[19]
Guthrie's Opening Raleigh Location in November - QSR Magazine
Oct 29, 2025 · Guthrie's, the original chicken finger restaurant, is set to open its newest location on November 4, 2025 at 2907 Wake Forest Road, ...
[20]
Guthrie's Launches Ambitious National Franchise Expansion Plan
Oct 29, 2020 · Guthrie's franchisees can expect their initial investment to range from $261,050 to $569,200 excluding real estate costs. For more information ...
[21]
Our Way - Guthrie's
Fresh. We serve fresh chicken fingers. We know that fresh is always better than frozen. 2. Hot. Our goal is to always serve you delicious hot food.Missing: no freezers commitment high- quality
[22]
6 Alabama fast food, chicken finger sauces: Which one's the best?
Dec 8, 2023 · Guthrie's Signature Guthrie's Sauce. It's easy to see why Guthrie's ... Turns out my first impression of the tangy sweet-and-sour sauce was ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[23]
12 things you might not know about Guthrie's - AL.com
Nov 8, 2016 · Guthrie's signature sauce was invented by Founder Hal Guthrie's son, Hud, during a family competition to see who could make the best sauce.
[24]
Guthrie's Expands into the Carolinas
Apr 22, 2025 · Today, Guthrie's operates nearly 70 locations across 13+ states and is poised for continued growth with aggressive expansion plans set for 2025.<|control11|><|separator|>
[25]
Popular chicken franchise opening another north Alabama location
Oct 28, 2025 · Guthrie's is opening its 33rd restaurant in Alabama. The new location in Muscle Shoals, at 1320 Woodward Ave., is now open.
[26]
Iconic Alabama chicken restaurant chain opens its 31st in-state ...
May 27, 2025 · News. Iconic Alabama chicken restaurant chain opens its 31st in-state location. AL.com | May 27, 2025.
[27]
https://kfor.com/business/press-releases/cision/20250422CL68808/guthries-expands-into-the-carolinas
[28]
Boise - Guthrie's
... Locations, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio ... Chicken © 2025. |. Dr. Richard Trader / WORD OF TRUTH Blog. Albany 2307 ...
[29]
BIG NEWS! Your first ever Guthrie's Chicken in West Virginia has ...
Dec 11, 2024 · We're officially open at 4302 US Route 60, Huntington, WV 25705 ⏰ Hours: Mon-Sat: 10AM-10PM Sun: 11AM-9PM · No photo description available.
[30]
Guthrie's Opportunities - Franchise Voice
Location Preference: Guthrie's thrives in suburban neighborhoods, college towns, and high-traffic roadside areas where quick-service dining is in high demand.<|control11|><|separator|>
[31]
Guthrie's Expands into the Carolinas - FOX 5 San Diego
Apr 22, 2025 · Today, Guthrie's operates nearly 70 locations across 13+ states and is poised for continued growth with aggressive expansion plans set for 2025.
[32]
Guthrie's Archives - QSR Magazine
Guthrie's, the original chicken finger restaurant, announced the opening of its newest corporate location today at 1308 W Wade Hampton Blvd, in Greer, South ...Missing: headquarters | Show results with:headquarters
[33]
Start a Guthrie's Franchise in 2025 - Entrepreneur
Franchising Since, 2005 (20 years). # of employees at HQ, 10. Where seeking. This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Alaska, ...Missing: launch | Show results with:launch
[34]
Guthrie's to deepen Auburn roots with new downtown location
Feb 24, 2021 · The second location of Guthrie's began as the site of a former Sonic building. According to Joe, with a few renovations, business quickly began ...Missing: Chris | Show results with:Chris
[35]
Guthrie's is back! Chain opens in Montgomery, shares plans to expand
Apr 11, 2023 · We're going to start selling chicken fingers,” Joe Kelly Guthrie said. ... Hud was around 10, and sister Anna Margaret was six. The three ...
[36]
Guthrie's - Franchise Database | Updated 2025
With 9000+ franchisors, 18000+ Franchise Disclosure Documents, and 450000+ franchisees in our database, you can count on us for your franchise analytics ...Missing: expansion timeline
[37]
Guthrie's Chicken - LinkedIn
Founded in 1965 in Haleyville, Ala., Guthrie's humble beginnings began in an unassuming A-frame building with founder Hal Guthrie's desire to cook the best ...