Alabama-based chicken franchise to open another location

Wetumpka is about to get a taste of a true Alabama classic. Guthrie’s is officially expanding its footprint in the state, bringing its famous chicken fingers to a brand-new location at 36 Line Drive, conveniently situated across from the Wetumpka Sports Complex.

Growth in the Heart of Alabama

This opening marks the 35th Guthrie’s location in Alabama and the first to ever call Wetumpka home. Local owners Matt Edwards and Chip Cleveland are spearheading the project, marking their second franchise location alongside their successful spot in Prattville.

The restaurant is set to fire up the fryers this Tuesday, operating from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. The new venture is also a boost for the local economy, bringing 35 new jobs to the area.

Grand Opening Rewards

To celebrate the debut, Guthrie’s is offering a major incentive for early birds. The first 100 customers who purchase an Original Box Combo on opening day will score free Guthrie’s for a year—one Original Box Combo every month for 12 months. As an added bonus, 10 lucky guests from that initial group will be selected at random to receive free Guthrie’s every single week for a year.

A Legacy of Flavor

Guthrie’s Franchising CEO Tom Carr expressed his excitement about the expansion. 'Opening our first restaurant in Wetumpka is an exciting milestone for Guthrie’s, especially as an Alabama-founded brand continuing to grow in our home state,' Carr said.

Fans can expect the consistent menu that made the brand a household name, including hand-breaded chicken fingers, hand-chopped coleslaw, crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, and that signature dipping sauce. The brand now boasts more than 70 locations across 13 states, continuing a trajectory of growth that included a new Hoover location back in March.

The roots of the company run deep in Alabama history. The late Hal Guthrie Sr. launched the business in 1965 as a burger and barbecue drive-in in Haleyville, eventually introducing his iconic fried chicken fingers in 1978. To learn more about the chain's evolution, check out the history of Guthrie’s fried chicken fingers.