After years of watching competitors grow locally and regionally, chicken tender restaurant Guthrie's appears to be in growth mode itself. A new Guthrie's is planned for the intersection of Lower Roswell and Johnson Ferry Roads in East Cobb. Specifically, the new restaurant is planned for 4774 Lower Roswell Road, where it will make use of an existing building.
An existing Zaxby's at 750 Johnson Ferry Road sits catty corner from the upcoming Guthrie's.
The new East Cobb restaurant is being opened by existing Guthrie's franchisees Dahlhauser Galbraith Operating Companies, a Marietta based firm specializing in commercial real estate development and operations. The firm currently operates five Guthrie's between Georgia and Alabama, but this past December signed a development agreement to open as many as 50 new units in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada and New Mexico, with the option for an additional 50.
Cobb County property records indicate that the East Cobb building was constructed in 1971 and sits on .37 acres. Additionally, sales records for the property indicate that DG EAST COBB GUTHRIES LLC, an affiliate of Dahlhauser Galbraith, purchased the property this past September for $1.2 million.
The Guthrie’s menu is deliberately very simple, offering chicken tenders – a la carte, on a sandwich or in a bucket, fries, toast, slaw, sweet tea and sodas.
The Auburn-based chain launched in 1965 by Hal Guthrie proudly proclaims itself “The Original Chicken Finger Restaurant.” Today, the chain includes nearly 50 locations across eight states. Many other chicken chains – Raising Cane’s and Zaxby’s among them – either directly or indirectly credit their concept to inspiration from Guthrie’s.
Guthrie's, which has in years past closed metro area locations in Dunwoody and Peachtree Corners, currently operates ten locations in Georgia including their newest which opened May 9 on Browns Bridge Road in Cumming. Another Atlanta area outpost is slated to open "soon" on North Commerce Drive in Peachtree City.
Have you been to Guthrie's? Who in Atlanta do you think makes the best chicken tender? Does the opening of Guthrie's make up for the loss of the would-be Hello Hilo, also in East Cobb?
Please share your thoughts below.
22 comments:
Good location & good timing. Perfect for people discouraged by long lines at Woodlawn Chick-fil-A (or joining the boycott) and for those (like me) who dislike the seasonings used in the batter for Zaxby’s chicken tenders.
It may be the "original", but it's not that good. I've been to the one in Canton several times, and it's always a bizarre and awkward experience. Much like Cane's, which I also find overrated, there are only like 5 menu options. Takes forever to get your food, which wouldn't be a big deal if it wasn't FAST food.
Used to love the Guthrie's in Athens. The one in Peachtree Corners was not so good. I think they cut each tender in half before cooking because they were so small they were more like nuggets. I like the Guthries limited menu - Zaxbys has a ton of options yet all of them are just meh. With just those few items though, Guthries should be much faster at filling orders.
We just tried to new SuperChix in Dunwoody and it was really good. The food, the portions and the service were all on point.
Did Guthrie's open and close in Chamblee about 20 years ago?
This is terrible news! Zaxby's salty chicken is across the street and now more salty chicken! I have been to the one in Mableton, Ga twice and I don't enjoy it. Expensive. I wish Bonchon would have opened instead. Not sure if they will do well ... Publix chicken is also not far and they have more side and sauce options - better price/value.
What is this? Yet another chicken finger restaurant? Metro Atlanta has the worst food scene of any metro Atlanta.
Publix would be awesome if it didn’t require parking and waiting forever and then going to a checkout to pay. Major time killer.
At least it’s not another breakfast place but it’s odd to open another chicken finger place across from a
Chicken finger place. East cobb - home of boring food choices.
I love Guthrie’s & was sad when the one in Dunwoody closed (never knew about the on in P’tree Corners). I think their chicken & sauce is superior than the other chicken finger places
Another chicken restaurant??? OMG! I just looked at the menu and they don't have a very large menu and they are expensive. I hate Zaxby but at least they have other options. And just like Zaxby's, they are going to nickel and dime you for each sauce unlike Chick-fil-A. Thank goodness Publix is around the corner. They have great chicken options. Imagine if Publix opened a drive thru only chicken restaurant in that location. LoL at the grand opening, it would be like Whataburger lines outside. They probably would run out of chicken. Maybe a burger king will open in its place after they close. Fingers crossed.
The concept of Canes is that the chicken is cooked to order so it's fresh. I never have issues there.
Publix has the best, but agree with the poster @ 11:15, it can be a hassle.
Yes but my issue with Cane’s is the lack of options and the taste is nothing special for much it’s hyped. The takes forever comment was referencing Guthrie’s specifically. They are slow as can be.
People act as if adding a repetitive concept is keeping other concepts away. There's plenty of space in Atlanta for many other concepts. They just choose not to open. As for nickel and diming you for sauce - sauce costs money. Everything costs money. People/companies run businesses to make money. It's becoming more common to get charged for things like extra dressing. Why? Because it really cuts into margins. A smart businessperson prices things appropriately. If they are charging for a salad, they are calculating their margin based on 2 ounces of dressing (for instance). If I ask for 2 more ounces of dressing, that can literally be the difference between profit and a loss if it's given to me for free.
@ June 7, 2023 at 11:48 AM
I understand what you are saying but when I went to Zaxby's and wanted to change/switch out/replace the sauce on the sandwich they wanted and did charge me $0.50 .... that was not extra sauce. Never again. Based on Zaxby's, Cane’s and Guthrie's prices they are overpriced compared to Publix chicken. Publix is better chicken. Zaxby's and Guthrie's chicken is smaller and not worth the money and overrated. I agree with some of the other comments that they both are salty.
How many metro Atlantas have you visited?
Wow. That's an expensive piece of property and I assume that the building will be demolished.
Zaxby's is over priced and slow service. I have stopped going there due to customer service issues and I don't care attitude if I say anything.
Chic Fil A at Woodland has gone down hill since Danny built a new store. Drive through is always super slow and trying to get in and out of the parking lot is a waste of time and fuel.
Publix has much better chicken and one can order ahead with the app. My preferred method of getting chicken.
Definitely will try Guthrie's it always has been delicious when I have stopped by other locations.
I went to that Zaxby's location yesterday. The assistant manager was very friendly, food came out hot and tasty, except they don't have the ketchup keg anymore, had to use nasty packets. All of a sudden, at Noon, I felt like I was in an episode of the X Files or Lost. I have to assume they were testing tornado / apocalypse / end of days sirens in East Cobb that sounded like it was right over the store.
Dang it! I was hoping for something different instead more Chicken and not even a good option at that! If it was going to be chicken then why not Korean BBQ chicken or Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders restaurant. Martin's would be a great option - local own and good food. Hopefully this will be short lived. Menu is small, expensive and is a single vision. thank you NEXT
lol Chik-Fil-A doesn't nickel and dime you because they already got $10 for the sandwich you ordered.
So you’ll sacrifice quality for convenience? Why not Zaxby’s then?
Yes
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