Ezell's Famous Chicken opened their first store, in Seattle, in 1984 (see the Roadfood.com review). Today there are a total of seven company-owned chicken shops in Washington state. Ezell's world is about to get much larger, as they begin franchising this year. The first two franchises, also in Washington, are expected to open this summer. Later this summer, another franchisee will be opening stores in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and, possibly, Nairobi, Kenya. Ezell's has partnered with Dennis Waldron, who is helping to guide the expansion. Mr. Waldron did the same for another once lone Seattle food business, Cinnabon.

In related Ezell's news, the daughters of Ezell's founders purchased franchising rights and plan to inaugurate a fleet of Ezell's Express food trucks this spring. The trucks will be found all over the Puget Sound region.