How much chicken does one city really need?
We have reached a point in Lubbock where it feels like every other new restaurant announcement is another joint selling chicken strips.
Chick-fil-A. Raising Cane’s. Slim Chickens. Chicken Express. Dave’s Hot Chicken. KFC. Popeyes. Church’s. Golden Chick. Wingstop. Not to mention, PLENTY of local spots.
Oh, and now we have Layne’s Chicken Fingers, too. That’s the newest chicken place here that nobody asked for. They set up shop on 50th and guess what? There are plans for a total of FIVE locations.
Why, God? Why?
Lubbock is running on a chicken-based economy in 2026.
Photo by Samuel Isaacs on Unsplasha plate of fried food next to a cup of sauce
The funny part?
Somehow, we still aren’t eating enough chicken.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken opened in Lubbock in August 2024, only to close in June 2026. I didn’t even make it two years, and it was actually a really great restaurant. The food was excellent, and the presentation was on point, but that made no difference. It still bit the dust.
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I’m not saying it closed because we have too many chicken places…I’m saying…if Shaq’s restaurant couldn’t survive here, perhaps we have reached our limit.
We’ve got chicken restaurants competing with chicken restaurants competing with chicken restaurants competing with chicken restaurants…and on and on it goes.
I have nothing against chicken. It’s great.
But come on, guys.
We need something weird. Something new. Something we’ve never had before.
So, Lubbock entrepreneurs, I am begging you, please, please, put the chicken tenders down.
We’ve got more than enough.
What do you think?
I want to hear from YOU. What restaurants do we need more of in Lubbock? Shoot me an email at Chrissy.Covington@townsquaremedia.com or drop a comment below this article wherever you find it, and let’s keep the conversation going.
And, hey, if you LOVE chicken strips, ignore everything I said and keep scrolling for some places locals say have the best strippies.
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