News Summary
Flyrite Chicken, a popular eatery in Austin, is closing its original restaurant on East Seventh Street and had previously shut down its Burnet Road location. The company is pivoting to a food truck model and is also serving at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport to stay accessible to customers. Founded in 2016, Flyrite Chicken is known for its drug-free, vegetarian-fed chicken offerings. As they adapt to changing consumer preferences and operational costs, Flyrite Chicken aims to continue serving delicious food to locals and travelers alike.
Flyrite Chicken Waves Goodbye to Restaurant Locations in Austin
Austin, the vibrant city known for its food scene, is witnessing a significant change as Flyrite Chicken decides to close its original restaurant on East Seventh Street. The closure of this location follows the shutdown of their Burnet Road spot back in December. These decisions mark a pivotal shift for the popular chicken eatery, which has entertained locals with its deliciously crafted dishes since its inception.
Focusing on Food Trucks and Airport Services
With rising costs and the recent closing of drive-thru services affecting their operations, Flyrite Chicken is embarking on a new journey, transitioning to a food truck model. This move is designed to help them become more agile and adaptable within the ever-evolving food industry. The director of operations expressed a hope that this new strategy would not only enhance their flexibility but also allow them to explore additional food truck opportunities in the future if it proves to be a success.
A Rich History of Serving Quality Chicken
Founded in 2016 by Kevin Warden, Flyrite Chicken quickly made its mark in the Austin area by offering antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed chicken served in a variety of tasty formats, such as sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The original location at 2127 E. Seventh St., which opened its doors in February 2016, was a popular destination that served an impressive average of 500 sandwiches daily.
Exciting Airport Offerings
Even with the closure of its restaurants, Flyrite Chicken is not retreating; instead, they are actively serving hungry travelers at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. The airport venue, which opened recently on March 16, features a menu filled with their signature offerings, including both fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders, salads, wraps, and even breakfast items available until 10:30 a.m. each day. The airport location operates from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., making it a convenient stop for early morning flights or late-night snacks.
Impressive Performance at Major Events
Flyrite Chicken has previously garnered attention for its impressive sales during significant events in Austin. During the exhilarating Austin City Limits festival, the eatery sold around 10,000 sandwiches over the course of just two weekends, showcasing their strong connection to the community and their ability to serve mouthwatering chicken dishes during busy times.
Adapting to Changing Tastes
The pivot to food trucks and an airport location closely aligns with changing consumer preferences and operational efficiencies. Modern diners are increasingly health-conscious, and Flyrite Chicken prides itself on high-quality food sourcing. Their menu is designed to cater to this audience, ensuring a delightful dining experience free from MSG, artificial ingredients, and added hormones.
A New Era for Flyrite Chicken
Though the closure of restaurant locations may feel bittersweet for long-time fans, Flyrite Chicken’s commitment to quality and innovation remains strong. By focusing on food trucks and airport services, the brand is ushering in a new era that promises delicious chicken dishes to both locals and travelers alike.
As Flyrite Chicken takes this exciting new path, fans can look forward to more tasty options served on wheels and through the airport. Who knows? You might just catch a delightful chicken sandwich from them the next time you fly into or out of Austin!
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Additional Resources
- CBS Austin
- Wikipedia: Austin
- Eater Austin
- Google Search: Flyrite Chicken
- Texas Hill Country
- Google Scholar: Flyrite Chicken
- Delaware North
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin food scene
- KXAN Austin
- Google News: Flyrite Chicken
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
