Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken is a fried chicken restaurant brand that began in 1966 when Lee Cummings and Harold Omer opened "Harold's Take Home" in Lima, Ohio, where Lee introduced his Famous Recipe chicken. The brand expanded to Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1967, and has since grown through franchising and licensing across the US and internationally. In 2021 the brand was purchased by affiliates of Artemis Lane Partners with plans to reinvest in the brand to support a new phase of growth.

Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken traces its start to 1966, when Lee Cummings and Harold Omer opened "Harold's Take Home" restaurant in Lima, Ohio, where Lee introduced his Famous Recipe chicken. In 1967 the brand opened new stores in Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1972 company pilot and director of operations Jerry Sullivan helped open 55 new restaurants and became the franchisee for store number 100 in Sanford, Florida. In 1981, marking its 15th anniversary, Shoney's Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee purchased the rights to the company. In 1982 Lee's introduced its new farmhouse store design in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1991 Lee's celebrated its 25th anniversary with Lee Cummings as its national spokesman. Through the 2000s the brand stayed strong through several ownership changes, introduced Spicy Jumbo Dippers, and focused on breast strips and new sides. In the 2010s Lee's re-engineered itself to better support licensing and franchising across the US and internationally, with new stores opened or built in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Canada. In 2016 Lee's celebrated 50 years of being "FAMOUS FOR CHICKEN." In 2021 the brand was purchased by affiliates of Artemis Lane Partners with plans to reinvest in the brand to support a new phase of growth.

Famous for chicken, craveable sides, iced tea, community, flavor, and heritage.

• Famous Chicken Sandwich

  Includes a chicken filet, chipotle ranch and pickles on a brioche bun.

• 16 Piece Meal

  Includes 4 thighs, 4 legs, 4 breasts, and 4 wings, or 16 breast strips and 5 dipping sauces, plus 4 large sides and 8 biscuits.

• 12 Piece Meal

  Includes 3 thighs, 3 legs, 3 breasts, and 3 wings, plus 3 large sides and 6 biscuits.

• Chicken Pot Pie

  Savory chicken and vegetables in a creamy sauce, baked in a flaky pastry crust.

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