Rock Hill and Fort Mill is getting its first Huey Magoo’s, with the fast-casual chicken concept targeting a Spring 2027 opening in the Charlotte region. According to a press release, franchise partners Jeremy Press and Grant McDowell have committed to developing six locations across Rock Hill and Fort Mill, as well as Columbia, South Carolina.
The new franchise owners have a longstanding connection that predates their business partnership. Press and McDowell met in middle school, attended high school together, and both later served in the United States Marine Corps. According to the press release, they will be joined by operating partner Jason Twitty, who brings more than 20 years of retail and food service experience to the group’s day-to-day operations.
The partners bring experience across franchise ownership, restaurant operations, banking, real estate, sales, and community leadership, according to the release. Press has owned and operated a Destination Athlete franchise for nine years, while McDowell has built a career in real estate.
The group considered several franchise concepts before settling on Huey Magoo’s. Some brands did not have ideal territories available, while others failed to leave a strong impression. “Then a Huey Magoo’s ad popped up,” Press said. “After researching the brand, we had a really good feeling about it. We tried out the Greenville location for ourselves and all three of us loved it.”
The menu’s focus on the tenderloin was an immediate draw for the group, along with the brand’s banana pudding. A visit to Huey Magoo’s Discovery Day in Orlando ultimately sealed the deal, with Press and McDowell impressed by the depth of the company’s corporate leadership team and how closely its approach to quality matched their own standards, according to the release.
Rock Hill was the group’s first choice for its debut restaurant. Press is regularly in York County for youth fastpitch softball tournaments and has watched the area’s growth, according to the release. McDowell also highlighted the community’s location within Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers territory, along with its schools and growing business community.
“Rock Hill is ideally located in Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers territory, with a number of great schools and a growing business community,” McDowell said in the release. “We can’t wait to open our doors to a new Huey Magoo’s fan base.”
While Rock Hill will lead the expansion, the six-location commitment also includes Fort Mill and Columbia, although exact addresses have not yet been announced. A second location is targeted near the University of South Carolina, with the six restaurants planned across York, Richland, and Lexington counties.
Founded in 2004, Huey Magoo’s specializes in premium, handcrafted chicken tenders made from the tenderloin, which the company describes as the best three percent of the chicken. The menu also includes Tender Bites, sandwiches, wraps, salads, sides, signature sauces, teas, handcrafted lemonades, and banana pudding.
According to the press release, Huey Magoo’s is set to open its 100th location later this year and currently has locations in 13 states. The brand also recently earned a spot on Fast Casual’s 2026 Top 100 Movers + Shakers list.
