Starbird’s Chef-Driven Crispy Chicken Is Headed to Austin Through Major Texas Expansion
Austin’s constantly evolving food scene may soon have another new name on the menu. Starbird, a California-based fast-casual restaurant known for its chef-crafted crispy chicken and fresh, flavor-forward menu, is planning its first Texas locations — and Austin is expected to be among the cities where the brand arrives.
The company recently announced a major franchise agreement with Houston-based Mac Haik Restaurant Group that will bring 36 Starbird restaurants to Texas, including locations in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. The first openings are anticipated to begin in 2027, marking the brand’s official entry into the Lone Star State.
For Austin — a city known for embracing creative and chef-inspired dining concepts — the arrival of Starbird could add another distinctive option to its growing fast-casual restaurant landscape.
A Chicken Concept Built Around Flavor and Fresh Ingredients
Starbird was founded in San Francisco in 2016 by restaurant entrepreneur Aaron Noveshen, who launched the concept through his culinary innovation firm, The Culinary Edge. The idea was to bring higher-quality ingredients and thoughtful hospitality to the fast-casual space while maintaining the convenience customers expect from quick-service dining.
Since then, the brand has built its reputation around what it calls “Positively Delicious Chicken®,” featuring crispy chicken prepared with bold flavors and fresh ingredients.
Guests at existing locations will find a menu that goes well beyond traditional chicken tenders. Starbird’s offerings include crispy chicken sandwiches, wings, nuggets, salads, and grain bowls, often paired with house-made sauces and globally inspired seasonings.
Menu items like Nashville hot chicken sandwiches, Korean fried chicken flavors, and hearty chopped salads topped with crispy chicken reflect the brand’s mix of comfort food and chef-driven creativity.
That approach has helped Starbird gain national recognition in the restaurant industry. The brand won Nation’s Restaurant News’ Chicken Showdown in 2023, has appeared on Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list for nine consecutive years, and was included on Restaurant Business and Technomic’s Future 50 list.
Today, the company operates 19 restaurants, primarily in California and Colorado, and is preparing to expand further as it enters its second decade.
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Mac Haik Restaurant Group Bringing Starbird to Texas
Helping introduce Starbird to Texas diners is Mac Haik Restaurant Group, a division of Mac Haik Enterprises, a diversified Houston-based company with businesses spanning automotive dealerships, hospitality, media, and restaurants.
Within the restaurant industry, the group oversees a growing portfolio of concepts across Texas. It operates original brands such as Kirkwood, a modern clubhouse-style restaurant opening in Houston’s Energy Corridor, and Maggie’s Coffee, while also managing several franchise concepts.
Mac Haik Restaurant Group is also the largest franchisee of First Watch Daytime Café restaurants and was named Franchisee of the Year in 2024, highlighting the company’s experience operating and scaling restaurant brands.
Executives say Starbird stood out as a concept that fits well with Texas’ evolving fast-casual dining market.
“We evaluate opportunities through the lens of long-term brand relevance, not just unit growth,” said Dan Anfinson, Chief Operating Officer of Mac Haik Restaurant Group. “Starbird delivers a level of culinary quality and operational sophistication that we believe is still underserved in the premium fast-casual chicken category, particularly in Texas.”
Why Austin Is a Strong Market for New Restaurant Concepts
Austin continues to attract national restaurant brands thanks to its steady population growth and its reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic food cities. From food trucks to chef-driven fast-casual concepts, the city has built a reputation for welcoming creative new dining ideas.
Starbird CEO Greg Levin said the Texas expansion is a major milestone for the company as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
“This agreement reflects the strength of our business model and the clarity of our long-term vision,” Levin said. “Texas is a critical market for us moving forward, and partnering with an experienced organization like Mac Haik Restaurant Group allows us to grow thoughtfully while staying true to what makes Starbird special.”
The expansion also places Starbird within one of the fastest-growing segments of the restaurant industry. The U.S. chicken restaurant category is valued at more than $34 billion, with strong demand for fast-casual concepts offering higher-quality ingredients and customizable menus.
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What Austin Diners Can Expect
While specific Austin locations have not yet been announced, the 36-unit Texas agreement suggests a significant long-term presence once development begins.
If the Texas locations mirror existing Starbird restaurants, diners can expect a menu centered around crispy chicken served in a variety of ways — from sandwiches and wings to salads and bowls — paired with house-made sauces and bold flavor combinations.
The restaurants are typically designed with a modern fast-casual layout that blends digital ordering, quick service, and comfortable dining spaces.
What Happens Next
The first Starbird locations in Texas are expected to begin opening in 2027, with Austin among the cities likely to see the brand arrive early in the rollout.
As development plans move forward, more details about specific neighborhoods, construction timelines, and opening dates are expected.
For Austin residents who enjoy discovering new dining concepts — especially ones that combine chef-inspired flavors with fast-casual convenience — Starbird may soon be a name to watch.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates as Starbird’s Texas expansion continues and Austin locations are announced.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.