Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 20, 2025
Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken Celebrates Record Growth at Annual Reunion
TLDR
- Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken offers franchise opportunities with record $235 million system sales and plans to double units by 2030, providing strong growth potential.
- Lee's achieved $1.85 million average unit volume through restaurant modernization that drove 8% sales lift and 7% traffic growth at remodeled locations.
- Lee's maintains family traditions while honoring community-focused operators, creating lasting local impact through decades of quality service and franchisee recognition.
- Founders' grandchildren attended Lee's reunion celebrating 60 years of history, where a Richmond store achieved over $6 million in annual sales.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken represents a successful franchise model in the competitive quick-service restaurant industry, demonstrating how established brands can maintain relevance through modernization while honoring their heritage. For entrepreneurs considering franchise opportunities, Lee's impressive growth metrics—including $235 million in system sales and $1.85 million average unit volume—showcase a proven business model with strong expansion potential. The brand's commitment to franchisee success through leadership training, operational support, and community recognition creates a supportive environment for business owners. For consumers, Lee's continued expansion means greater access to their signature fried chicken products, while the company's investment in restaurant modernization enhances the customer experience. The presence of the founders' grandchildren underscores how family-owned businesses can successfully transition to franchise models while maintaining core values, offering lessons for other legacy brands navigating growth and modernization.
Summary
Lee's Famous Recipe® Chicken, the beloved home-style fried chicken brand with nearly 60 years of tradition, recently hosted its annual "Famous Family" reunion at the Ameristar Casino Resort Spa in St. Charles, Missouri. The event brought together more than 280 franchise owners, corporate leaders, and business partners to celebrate remarkable growth and chart ambitious future plans. CEO Ryan Weaver kicked off the gathering by highlighting the brand's impressive financial performance, including 2024 system sales reaching $235 million and 2025 tracking even higher. The brand currently boasts an average unit volume of $1.85 million and is pushing toward a $2 million goal, while also announcing development plans to more than double its current unit count by 2030. Attendees witnessed this success firsthand when visiting the recently remodeled St. Charles location, which has experienced an 8% sales lift and 7% traffic growth since its renovation.
The reunion extended beyond financial metrics to focus on connection, inspiration, and shared purpose. Industry experts Danny Klein, VP Editorial Director of QSR Magazine, and Scott Greenberg, author and keynote speaker, delivered powerful insights on leadership and thriving in competitive markets. One of the most poignant moments featured Jack Omer and Katie Bennett, grandchildren of Lee's founders, whose presence connected nearly six decades of brand heritage to its current momentum. The event culminated in an awards dinner recognizing outstanding operators who embody the brand's core values. Emmett and Jenny Gamache received the Legacy Award for their decades of community commitment, NLM Enterprises LLC earned Operator of the Year for exceptional performance in Detroit, and Henry Loving of HTL Inc. claimed the Pacesetter Award for his Richmond, Virginia location's staggering $6 million in annual sales. CEO Ryan Weaver emphasized that the combination of heritage and forward momentum positions Lee's to achieve its boldest goals yet, inviting potential franchisees to learn more about franchising opportunities at www.leesfamousrecipe.com/franchise.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken Celebrates Record Growth at Annual Reunion
