Krispy Krunchy Chicken lands third straight USA TODAY 10Best fried chicken nod

Krispy Krunchy Chicken has made USA TODAY’s 10Best Fried Chicken list for the third year in a row, underscoring how a convenience-store-first model has turned the brand into a national player. The chain now says it operates more than 3,600 locations across the contiguous U.S. and sells more than a million pounds of chicken each week.

Why it matters: - Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s third straight appearance on USA TODAY’s 10Best Fried Chicken list reinforces the brand’s national profile in a category dominated by larger restaurant chains. - The recognition highlights a different growth path: building scale inside convenience stores instead of relying on standalone restaurants. - The brand says the model is driving traffic for convenience-store operators while giving customers restaurant-style fried chicken where they already stop for gas and snacks.

What happened: - Krispy Krunchy Chicken was named to USA TODAY’s 10Best Fried Chicken list for the third consecutive year. - The recognition was announced July 15, 2026, from Atlanta. - Neil Beam, Krispy Krunchy Chicken’s chief technology officer, said the company did not need a large standalone restaurant footprint to become one of America’s favorite fried chicken brands.

The details: - Krispy Krunchy Chicken operates more than 3,600 locations across all 48 contiguous states. - The brand says it sells more than a million pounds of chicken each week. - Krispy Krunchy hand-breads its mild Cajun-spiced fried chicken in store daily. - The menu also includes jumbo tenders and signature honey biscuits. - The company was founded in Louisiana in 1989. - The brand serves guests in convenience stores, truck stops, universities, casinos and major venues nationwide. - Krispy Krunchy is the Official Fried Chicken of the Boston Red Sox. - The 10BEST program launched in 1999 and later became USA TODAY 10BEST in 2013. - For more information about Krispy Krunchy Chicken, including opening a location, visit more information. - Krispy Krunchy also directs prospective partners to partnering information.

Between the lines: - Krispy Krunchy’s win signals that convenience-store foodservice can compete with established quick-service restaurant brands on quality and reach. - The repeated USA TODAY recognition gives the chain a credibility boost as it continues to expand through nontraditional retail locations. - The brand’s pitch is simple: meet customers at the counter they already visit, then turn a routine stop into a food destination.

What’s next: - Krispy Krunchy is likely to keep using national awards and its convenience-store footprint as a growth tool for new partner locations. - The company’s continued expansion will depend on how well it balances speed, consistency and food quality across a large dispersed network. - Krispy Krunchy is also steering interested operators to its website and partner channel for new openings.