YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken

YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken is an American fast-food restaurant chain whose core specialty is chicken cooked over an open flame or broiler. The chain was founded in 1985 by brothers Constantine "Gus" Chinonis and John Chinonis, who started the business in Florida. Its development subsequently extended beyond its original state, with restaurants opening in Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota. The brand is associated with a regional rather than nationwide operating footprint. Its current locations are reported to be in Florida and Michigan, with the greatest concentration in the Genesee County area surrounding Flint, Michigan. Flint serves as the chain's base and is central to its present identity. The available reference material does not identify a parent corporation, publicly traded ownership structure, chief executive, franchise system, financial results, or a specific founding restaurant. YaYa's positioning is built around flame-broiled chicken within the quick-service restaurant category. Compared with concepts centered on fried chicken, the brand's defining preparation method is broiling over flame, which gives the chain a clear product and cooking distinction. Beyond this core description, publicly documented information about its complete menu, pricing, advertising history, store format, supply chain, and current corporate organization is limited. The brand remains an active regional restaurant chain, with its strongest presence in Michigan and Florida.

YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken emerged in 1985 when brothers Constantine "Gus" Chinonis and John Chinonis established the restaurant concept in Florida. From the beginning, the brand's identity was tied to its principal cooking method: chicken prepared by flame broiling rather than positioning the business primarily around conventional fried-chicken service. The chain expanded geographically after its Florida beginnings. Restaurants were later opened in Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota, giving YaYa's a multistate presence while retaining a regional character. The available historical record does not provide a detailed chronology for each market entry, nor does it identify the number of locations opened during each phase of expansion. Michigan became especially important to the brand's later profile. The chain is based in Flint, and its greatest concentration of locations is in the Genesee County area. Although the brand previously operated in several states, its current locations are reported in Florida and Michigan. This indicates a narrower present-day footprint than the broader territory reached during its expansion period. Publicly available reference material does not document a change in ownership, a merger, a public listing, a major rebranding, or a formal corporate restructuring. It also does not identify current executives or provide financial information. The chain's documented history is therefore best understood as that of an independently identified regional fast-food brand founded in Florida and later associated particularly closely with the Flint and Genesee County market. Its enduring commercial proposition is straightforward: quick-service meals centered on flame-broiled chicken.

• 1985

  Founding in Florida

  [1]YaYa's Flame Broiled Chickenen.wikipedia.org

  Brothers Constantine "Gus" Chinonis and John Chinonis started YaYa's Flame Broiled Chicken in Florida.

• Expansion into additional states

  [1]YaYa's Flame Broiled Chickenen.wikipedia.org

  The chain later opened restaurants in Georgia, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota, expanding beyond its Florida origin.

• Concentration in Michigan and Florida

  [1]YaYa's Flame Broiled Chickenen.wikipedia.org

  The chain's current locations are reported in Florida and Michigan, with the greatest concentration in the Genesee County area around Flint.

A regional American quick-service restaurant brand differentiated by flame-broiled chicken.

• Chicken fast food · 1985

  Flame-broiled chicken

  The brand's defining product category is chicken cooked using flame broiling. This preparation method is the central feature of YaYa's restaurant identity and distinguishes the chain from fast-food concepts primarily associated with fried chicken. The available reference material does not specify individual cuts, recipes, serving sizes, sauces, sides, or nutritional claims.

1. 1YaYa's Flame Broiled Chickenen.wikipedia.org