Birdcall – a burgeoning fast-casual craft chicken chain that specializes in all-natural chicken sandwiches, and more – has officially opened its second Dallas-Fort Worth area location in McKinney at 4702 West University Drive.
“We couldn’t be more excited about our continued expansion and bringing Birdcall to McKinney,” said Birdcall CEO Mark Lohmann in a statement. “This opening reflects our commitment to meeting the incredible demand from the DFW community for high-quality food, a welcoming atmosphere, and an unforgettable dining experience.
The new McKinney restaurant delivers a welcoming and lively atmosphere, featuring outdoor patio seating, a drive-thru, free arcade games, a bar, and self-serve ordering kiosks for a seamless guest experience. Adding a creative and local touch to the atmosphere, the restaurant also showcases stunning art by Dallas-based muralist Mari Pohlman.
The all-made-to-order menu is highlighted by 10 all-natural, crispy and grilled chicken sandwiches. Some of those sandwiches include the Southern with pimento cheese and southern coleslaw; the Rancher with bacon onion jam, white cheddar, and Bird-B-Q Sauce; the Nashville Hot Deluxe with bacon, pepper-jack, tomato, lettuce, and herb mayo; and the grilled chicken Caesar. There is even a Veggie sandwich with an animal-free crispy cutlet, kimchi coleslaw, sriracha aioli, and cilantro.
The menu also features sliders, hand cut tenders & nuggets, and several specialty salads. Guests can complete their meals with a selection of nine sides including fries, tater tots, loaded tots, and coleslaws, as well as 15 house-made sauces.
“We strive to create more than just a dining destination – we aim to build a place where the community can gather, connect, and enjoy,” said Lohmann. “With McKinney’s vibrant spirit, we’re excited to bring our unrivaled combination of great food, superior hospitality, and restaurant innovation to this amazing community.”
Beyond that, Birdcall emphasizes community engagement through its 1% Back initiative, which pledges a portion of sales to local nonprofits and organizations. This pledge is embraced by providing meal donations, giving supplies to neighboring schools, hosting local nonprofits for restaurant nights in which a portion of sales are donated back to the organization, and more.
Birdcall has already donated $5,000 each to Streetside Showers, a local organization that provides mobile hot showers and personal hygiene care to those in need, as well as the Baylor Scott & White Foundation, which supports community health initiatives. The donations were the result of the restaurant’s grand opening events over the past week.
According to Lohmann, the new restaurant marks an exciting step in the brand’s growth across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The McKinney location is the second of as many as 8-10 area restaurants the company expects to open in the next several years. Though leases for the other locations have yet to be signed, Lohmann believes markets such as Uptown, Southlake, Denton, and University Park (Fort Worth) are among those ideal for expansion.
To augment the brand’s continued expansion, Birdcall is seeking single- and multi-unit operators who Lohmann says are interested in “setting a new standard for what’s possible in the restaurant industry.”
With AUV’s of nearly $2.9 million and a franchise fee of $50,000, the total investment to open a 2,300 square-foot restaurant that typically seats about 150 people and employs approximately 25 people ranges from $642,000 to $2,300,000.
