Castle Rock is getting a fresh shot of fried chicken. Starbird Chicken is opening its second Colorado outpost at the Castle Rock Outlets next to Whole Foods, with a community grand-opening party set for next Monday evening that will feature a ribbon-cutting, music, and family-friendly activities. The roughly 2,500-square-foot storefront marks the latest step in the brand’s ongoing push along the Front Range.
As reported by DougCo Drop, the restaurant is under construction at 6360 Promenade Parkway inside the outlet center. The outlet notes the shop is expected to open this spring as Starbird’s second Colorado location after its Denver debut. Sitting right next to Whole Foods places the new spot squarely in a busy retail corridor, the local coverage says.
Local Franchisee And The Menu
Daniel Wagner, CEO of Whiplash Holdings, the franchise group bringing Starbird to Colorado, told What Now Denver that the team is eager to deepen its community ties in Douglas County. Starbird’s menu leans on fresh, never-frozen, “no antibiotics ever” chicken that is hand-breaded in small batches, according to the company’s website. That chef-driven angle is a key part of the pitch as the brand works to expand beyond California.
What The New Store Will Look Like
According to a press release reported by Mile High CRE, the Castle Rock restaurant comes in at about 2,500 square feet and was built by Fine Construction Inc. Guests will place orders on three in-store kiosks featuring full-photo menus, and the shop will lean into a mobile-first setup with loyalty perks, dedicated pickup shelves and streamlined delivery systems. The release also notes that Starbird plans to donate 10% of opening-week sales to student programs at Castle View High School and Douglas County High School.
Early Colorado Traction
QSR Magazine reports that Starbird’s Denver debut has already moved more than 40,000 pounds of chicken since opening. Local coverage and reviews have pointed out that franchisee Daniel Wagner first discovered the concept in San Francisco and then signed on to bring multiple locations to the Front Range. Reviewers have called out the chain’s crispy tenders and tech-forward ordering model as it battles for attention in the fast-casual chicken crowd…