Starbird Opens First Midwest Restaurant as Franchise Pipeline Passes 56 Units
San Francisco chicken brand Starbird opened its first Midwest restaurant in St. Charles, Illinois, with franchise agreements for more than 56 additional units signed across three new states.
The Expansion
Fast-casual chicken brand Starbird opened its first Midwest location in St. Charles, Illinois, on 19 October 2026 — the first of five planned Chicago-area restaurants under franchisee Keystone Management Group.
Key Facts
- Current footprint: Just over 20 restaurants, mainly in California.
- Signed pipeline: More than 56 franchise units across three new states.
- Texas: 36-unit deal with Mac Haik Restaurant Group — the largest in the brand's history.
- Washington: 15-unit agreement with Mehta Investment Group, announced in late September 2026.
- Illinois: Five units with Keystone Management Group.
Why It Matters
Starbird is developing several out-of-state markets at once under CEO Greg Levin, appointed in February 2026, rather than building density in one region first.
Source: Franchise Herald, 21 Oct 2026.
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