'The next Popeyes'? Owners of soon-to-open Worcester chicken restaurant have high hopes

WORCESTER — A Korean fried chicken restaurant should be coming soon to take up the former downtown ProteinHouse location at 145 Front St.

A partner in the restaurant, Cluck & Crispy Chicken, told the city License Commission on Thursday that the business is planning an August or early September opening.

Ivan Guan of Shrewsbury told the Telegram & Gazette that the owners have ambitious plans to franchise the chicken restaurant.

"We're trying to be the next Popeyes," Guan said.

The License Commission unanimously approved a common victualer license for the restaurant Thursday.

The restaurant will fill a vacant retail space at the CitySquare apartment property at 145 Front St. The property is owned and managed by New Jersey-based real estate investment fund Veris Residential Inc.

During the Thursday License Commission hearing, Guan — who appeared virtually — briefly addressed the city board.

"Currently we are under construction, but we are excited to be open," Guan said.

Cluck & Crispy Chicken is operated by an entity called Royal Hospitality Group, Guan told the Telegram & Gazette. Guan is partners with Shrewsbury siblings Lin and Danny Li. Lin also owns Hong Kong Island Restaurant at 880 W Boylston St. and Sachi Japanese Steak House And Sushi Bar in Westborough.

Guan said they plan to franchise the restaurant across Massachusetts, looking for second-generation restaurants that can be easily converted. The Worcester location will serve as a headquarters. The owners have planned a second location in Concord Street in Framingham.

Korean fried chicken — which tends to be smaller than American fried chicken, have a thin, crunchy outer layer and different seasonings — has grown in popularity in the U.S. in recent years. The restaurant will replace the health food chain ProteinHouse, which still has a Marlborough location.

A menu shared on Facebook features various combo meals of fried chicken with French fries and a soft drink. Chicken is served in a bucket, both bone-in and boneless, or in a sandwich or wrap. Fried fish and porkchop sandwiches will also be served, according to the online menu.

Lin Li said one of the notable items on the menu is a whole fried chicken, which is a unique offering for fried chicken locations.

Guan said he believes a top item will be a chicken sandwich cooked teppanyaki-style, a Japanese barbecue style, with homemade buns.

The listed hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

The new restaurant space, which currently displays posters advertising both the Worcester and Framingham locations, is adjacent to a Fidelity Bank. The address is also home to Sea Grass Therapies massage spa.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'The next Popeyes'? Owners of soon-to-open Worcester chicken restaurant have high hopes