A Huey Magoo’s fast casual chicken restaurant is scheduled to open early next year in Eaton Twp.

The restaurant at 812 Hunter Highway/state Route 29, near Wal-Mart and south of Tunkhannock, will be the first of three Huey Magoo’s locations in the region, according to a recent announcement. Locations in the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton areas will follow.

Those will be the first three Huey Magoo’s locations in Pennsylvania, thanks to a commitment from local owners Mark DeStefano and Mike Diskin, according to the announcement.

The 2,600-square-foot Eaton Twp. location is scheduled to open in the first half of 2027. It “will feature an inline format as part of a broader investment by the partners in the surrounding three-unit property,” the announcement states.

Huey Magoo’s, founded in Florida in 2004, features handcrafted chicken tenders made fresh using only the tenderloin, described as “the best three percent of the chicken.”

The chicken tenders are available either hand-breaded or grilled, as a meal with sides or in sandwiches, wraps and salads.

According to the announcement, DeStefano and Diskin bring complementary strengths and experience to the partnership. DeStefano serves as CFO of Pittston-based Pagnotti Enterprises, Inc. and Latona Trucking, Inc. He is also an owner of a local real estate brokerage firm. Diskin contributes a strong background in customer service, hospitality, and daily operations.

The two men recently attended Huey Magoo’s Discovery Day in Orlando, Florida.

“Meeting the team and tasting the menu, that was it. I’ve always loved chicken tenders, and these are on another level,” Diskin said, in a statement.

“Beginning with our first Huey Magoo’s in Tunkhannock, we’re bringing a locally-owned and -operated restaurant to a hometown we’re invested in, and where we intend to be an active part of the community,” DeStefano said, in a statement. “When you support a local business, those dollars stay in the community. And just as our neighbors support us, we’ll be there for the local schools, teams, and events that make this area special.”

For information on Huey Magoo’s, visit: hueymagoos.com/.