Firm Tapped for Restaurant Brand Clarification, Prototype Design, and Multiunit Franchise Development

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- TobinDudleyStarr has been hired by the successful Charleston, SC-based Kickin' Chicken International (KCI) ownership group to help realize its franchise development goals through restaurant brand, design and prototype development. KCI will begin awarding franchises in September 2009 to a select group within South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee.

Since opening its first location in Charleston in 1997, The Kickin' Chicken has seen success and steady growth within the metro area, and now sports five locations. The casual, family oriented, full service, full bar restaurant offers sandwiches, wraps, wings, soups and salads within an environment that has become known and appreciated for its vibrancy and cleverness.

"We see tremendous potential with this concept and welcome the opportunity to be a part of its growth," says Steve Starr, TobinDudleyStarr Partner and Retail and Restaurants Practice Leader. "This partnership with The Kickin' Chicken fits perfectly with our prior experience in brand conception, prototype design, franchise development and multiunit rollouts, with both regional and national chains. We're excited about this project and this long-term partnership."

"We've made the right partnership choice with TobinDudleyStarr," notes Jim Verney, President/CEO of Kickin' Chicken International, LLC. "Since our initial meetings, the firm has been hands-on in learning about and experiencing our restaurant, its history, and what it has come to mean to our loyal customers. In my 35 year restaurant career, I've never had another architectural firm actually work in the restaurants. TobinDudleyStarr learned the restaurant from the kitchen, dining room and bartender perspective. We couldn't be more excited to have this partner as we move forward."

The Kickin' Chicken was launched by University of South Carolina classmates Bobby Perry and Chip Roberts in 1997, inspired by mutual past workplaces and other restaurants they enjoyed and respected locally. Perry and Roberts developed the initial concept with a single location in Charleston and have steadily grown the business since. Partner David Miller joined the pair in 2003, and they formed RPM Management Company. The Kickin' Chicken currently has locations in downtown Charleston, James Island, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville and West Ashley.

SOURCE TobinDudleyStarr

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