Joella’s Hot Chicken, a Louisville-based, fast-casual restaurant featuring hot chicken, has closed its third Atlanta area location. The latest closure, like the two which closed before it this past December, occupied a former Pollo Tropical. Located at 2955 Cobb Parkway, Joella's was situated in an outparcel of Akers Mill Square shopping center, not far from Cumberland Mall.
When the restaurant opened September 6, 2019, the first 100 adults in line were rewarded with "free chicken for a year" equaling 52 chicken meals, a promotion made popular by Atlanta's Chick-fil-A. The Cumberland area restaurant was the first of four restaurants the company opened in their Atlanta market entry.
Signage at the Akers Mill restaurant indicates that employees were offered employment at the final remaining Joella's in Woodstock, but the writing seems to be on the wall that its days are numbered. Joella's Woodstock is located at 188 Molly Lane (another former Pollo Tropical) and is less than a mile from where a new hot chicken restaurant debuted this past December. NRD Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm, debuted their new concept "The Original Hot Chicken" in place of The Captain's Boil, a seafood concept in which they invested, at 180 Parkway 575. Amazingly, The Original Hot Chicken has already garnered more than 200 reviews on Google with an average rating of 4.7 compared to Joella's 3.9 rating with nearly 800 reviews.
Joella's closure in Akers Mill is one of several recent restaurant changes in the center. Corner Bakery closed its restaurant beside Joella's this past July and is expected to reopen later this year as a new location of Snooze an A.M. Eatery. KPot, a new-to- market Korean barbecue eatery, is also slated to open later this year in the former Chuy's . Beside the upcoming KPot, Hopdoddy Burger Bar opened January 31 in place of Grub Burger Bar, a similar chain that it acquired in early 2022.
ToNeTo Atlanta previously noted that there has been intense interest in both the Cumberland and Kennesaw Joella's sites, but we have thus far been unable to confirm if any deal(s) are in place to backfill any of the chain's former Atlanta area units.
Following the Akers Mill closure, Joella's operates thirteen locations across five states.
Are you surprised to see Joella's close its Cumberland area restaurant? Who in Atlanta do you think makes the best hot chicken? What would you like to see open in place of the former Joella's in Akers Mill Square?
Please share your thoughts below.
17 comments:
I dined-in at the Woodstock location yesterday around 7:30p and was the only one there the entire time, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's next on the chopping block. Food was tasty though!
I am not surprised by the closure only because I think there are too many hot chicken restaurants and there isn’t a huge demand for them. While people like hot chicken once in a while, it isn’t something eaten regularly. To me, the best is Gus’ Hot Chicken in Chamblee
I visited Joellas kennesaw once and that was enough. Service was slow in drive thru and staff was amongst the worst I’ve experienced due to either straight up poor hiring, lack of training or lack of supervision. The chicken was in a pool of oil. The coleslaw had no flavor and they even found a way to undercook the fries, which were slightly raw inside. Glad to see a place like this close.
Not surprised. Went one time. Every time I passed by one I couldnt believe they were still open. Small portion, salty and greasy. Unenthusiastic employees. Not a good combination.
We were forced to eat their food because our company gave it to us free on busy Saturday’s. Been trash from inception.
Woodstock will surely be next. It really started out with a boom and then just went down fast. I think it was for lack of choices and poor service. I don’t see the other Hot Chicken crowded either. The Captain’s Boil was horrible. It would be great if Traditions or something similar went into that space. Jollees should sale to Martian’s. Perfect place for breakfast.
I ate at the Kennesaw location. Wasn’t really impressed. Never went back
Definitely not surprised. The last time we went it was dirty, rude staff, sauces were out, and the chicken was tough. When you bite into a sandwich your not supposed to pull on the chicken...Happy they're gone. Would love to see https://cafebourbonst.com/?fbclid=PAAabwTEM6Tu5OUXFE3gTjoHZO1HScLl_TdUOYYv1iY50x1Sro3zflLwFhYgA make a bigger place!
Friend and I went to kennesaw location a few times. Food was great when hot. Customer service was trash, they never had tea made and the attitudes from employees were awful. They literally hated when people would come in.
Food is always great, but the service can be hit or miss. It's not cheap, but the portions are gigantic... the chicken tenders dwarf those offered by most other places. Unfortunately, I don't think that the final GA location in Woodstock is going to last either since there is never more than a few people there even at prime hours.
Very expensive and small portions
Easy to see that practice fail
Never understood the attraction of hot chicken. So hot you might as well put the sauce on a cracker. Anxious for the fad to be over.
Hot Chicken is just over-priced Zaxby's with beer... i went because i got a BOGO mailer coupon and haven't returned since.
Not surprised! The last time my partner and I ate here the chicken was tough and you could tell the grease hadn't been changed.
Honestly i loved them and their chicken and waffles. Their hottest flavor was amazing, and a bit much. We told them it was to hot and they replaced it for free. Service was always amazing you guys must be ass holes. I miss them.
The Joelle’s location in Cumberland will soon be a Whataburger. I met with them and turned down the position, but was asked during the interview about the location since I live on Akers Mill Rd. .
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