“The biggest surprise is that [our main customer base] is actually locals who were already here. Eastside residents simply got it.”
eastside / local
“Anything we can do to connect to our community, we do in whatever way we can.”
Poultry Power
Transforming fast food one chicken sandwich at a time WORDS BY SOMMER BRUGAL PHOTOS BY ERIC MORALES
When Kevin Warden founded Flyrite Chicken, he had just one mission in mind: to disrupt the fast food and quick service industry. One year later, Flyrite continues serving real food to its east Austin neighbors.
F
or ten years, Kevin Warden worked to expand and franchise another fast casual eatery. But towards the end of his tenure, his job had shifted, consisting mainly of scouting different areas for new sites. Warden said the role enabled him to understand what was missing in the fast casual market—and where. “I was able to see what was working and what wasn’t,” he explained. While exciting things were happening in the fast casual space, he noticed the drive thru industry was remaining stagnant. Warden saw a niche in the market and “set out to disrupt the quick service [industry] with better food and better design.” Flyrite Chicken is that disruption. Located on East 7th Street, the fast casual drive thru and sit down eatery offers real food, like all-natural chicken raised without antibiotics. The menu features gluten-free and vegetarian options, along with salads and homemade sauces. It’s food you can feel good about. According to Warden, opening his fast food concept in east Austin made perfect sense. New brands were emerging, creative ideas were developing, and 8 EASTside | June/July 2017
find more at eastsideatx.com