West Seattle is about to get a major poultry boost as two prominent chicken chains, Starbird and Dave’s Hot Chicken, have announced upcoming locations here.

Starbird Makes Pacific Northwest Debut

Starbird, a San Francisco-based fried chicken chain, is officially expanding into the Pacific Northwest with a new lease in the Whittaker building. Located at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW, the restaurant will occupy a 2,522-square-foot space formerly held by MOD Pizza. While the store is not anticipated to open until the end of 2026, it marks the beginning of a significant regional expansion.

The company, founded in 2016, bills itself as a "chef-driven, feel-good chicken chain" that utilizes high-tech customer experiences and premium ingredients. Their menu focuses on all-natural, never-frozen chicken raised without the use of antibiotics.

This West Seattle site is the first of many planned for the state. Mehta Investment Group, led by Vin Mehta, who previously owned over 60 Jack in the Box franchises has signed an agreement to open 18 Starbird stores throughout Washington.

Dave’s Hot Chicken Headed to The Junction

Also joining the neighborhood is Dave’s Hot Chicken, which is slated to move into the former Haymaker location at 4706 California Ave. SW. This rapidly growing chain already boasts 283 locations worldwide and specializes in a Nashville-style menu of Hot Chicken Tenders and Sliders.

The restaurant is well-known for its customizable heat, offering seven different spice levels. These range from "No Spice" to the infamous "Reaper™" level, a heat so intense that customers are required to sign a waiver before consuming it. The menu is rounded out with sides such as house-made Kale Slaw, mac n’ cheese, and crispy fries.

With Starbird focusing on a "premium fast-food" experience and Dave's Hot Chicken bringing its signature global brand of heat, West Seattle residents will soon have two distinct new options for hand-breaded chicken.