Winter Springs residents will soon have another choice in fast-casual dining when Chick’nCone opens a location at 5705 Red Bug Lake Road. Franchise owners Nihad Katbeh and Majd Deen told What Now Orlando that the restaurant is still in the early phases of construction, but the goal is to be open by the end of 2021. Chick’nCone’s flagship menu item is chicken bites in hand-rolled waffle cones.
“It’s a twist on traditional chicken and waffles,” said Katbeh.
The flexibility of the Chick’nCone concept is what initially drew Katbeh and Deen to the franchise, especially during the pandemic when mobile dining became a necessity. “We fell in love with the idea and the energy. It’s a place to get together with friends, and a social media magnet. You have people sharing pictures on social media of their Chick’nCone. It has a nice vibe behind it,” said Deen.
In addition to chicken and waffle cones, the menu offers chicken sandwiches and tenders, served with a variety of sauce options ranging from sweet to spicy with names like cinna-maple, yell BBQ, and Kick’nRanch.
Sides include fries, corn, or macaroni and cheese, along with milkshakes blended with pieces of crunchy waffle cone in vanilla, caramel, or chocolate. Craft beer and boozy slushies are found at participating locations. Catering is also available.
Katbeh and Deen have been friends since high school. Katbeh has a background in the restaurant industry, working on a start up out of Miami before moving to California. He and Deen have future plans to expand Chickn’Cone with four to five additional locations in the Orlando area and overseas in Dubai.
