MY EVERETT NEWS

Ezell Stephens plans to open new stores next month in Renton and next year in Texas

“I have a name that fits my chicken now!” said Ezell Stephens when I asked him about the latest happenings at his south Everett Restaurant. I first talked with Ezell in February of this year when he announced plans to open in Everett. Ezell opened his Everett location back on April 5th and says it’s exceeding expectations. “Everett is doing exactly what I expected and now doing more.” said Stephens, “We’re coming into the slower time of year yet business is increasing not decreasing.” Stephens recently settled a dispute with his former corporation that is causing him to change the name of the restaurants he currently owns in Everett and Lake City and any future locations to Heaven Sent Fried Chicken. “It’s the greatest name I could ever have for my restaurant” said Stephens. “I’m the same and so is my chicken.” Expansion plans are also in the works for Heaven Sent Fried Chicken. Ezell tells me they plan on opening a new location in downtown Renton next month on 11/11/11. There are also plans for a store on Seattle’s Rainier Avenue South in a co-location with Willy’s Taste of Soul. Another big move is in the works with a store planned for Ezell’s home town of Marshall, Texas. Ezell tells me he just got back from serving chicken to the town’s Mayor and city officials who are welcoming him home with open arms. He hopes to open that store in early 2012. Ezell seems very happy in his new world of Heaven Sent Fried Chicken. “I don’t have to have meetings or convince anyone of what we should do” said Stephens. “I am once again the boss.”

They were lined up by the dozens to get the 1st taste of Ezell's Famous Chicken in Everett

Ezell’s Famous Chicken is open in Everett. When I stopped by around 6pm folks were lined up out the door, Ezell was in the kitchen going 100 miles an hour and people we’re lovin’ that “little taste of heaven”. Welcome to Everett Ezell and Thistle, we’re glad you’re here.

Look for the exact date in April to be announced in the next couple of weeks.

Just got off the phone with Ezell Stephens about the opening of his Everett location. I first wrote about Ezell’s coming to Everett back on February 21st. At that time he told me that he hoped to be open in March but hey if you’ve ever done a remodeling project, you know how things can get pushed back. Ezell says he’s excited about opening and they’re moving ahead as fast as possible so now look for Ezells to open the first week of April. I’ll post the exact date as soon as I find it out when that “little taste of heaven” finally hits Everett.

Ezell's Famous Chicken will open next month at 615 112th Street SE in South Everett. The Lynnwood store will be closing. Ezell says his chicken is a little taste of heaven

I spoke with Ezell Stephens and his wife Thistle on Sunday after driving by the old Franchesco’s at 615 112th SE (corner of 7th Ave SE and 112th in South Everett) and seeing Ezell’s signs on the window. I spoke personally with Thistle and then later talked with Ezell on the phone and both told me how excited they were to be coming to Everett. Apparently the lease is coming up on the Lynnwood location so they contacted Judith Card of Keller Williams who found them this location. One of the things that excited them the most was the size of the restaurant and the fact that there’s lots of room to dine in. Ezell told me it’s really the first of the locations he’s had that has a nice full size dining room. While there is a dispute going on between Ezell Stephens and the corporate board of directors for Ezell’s, (you can read about that here in a piece done by Rick Anderson in the Seattle Weekly), both Ezell and Thistle say this location is separate from any disputes and is owned by only them. The Everett location is expected to be open sometime in March, two or three days after the Lynnwood store closes. They will be bringing the crew from Lynnwood to Everett and expect to employ more than a dozen people once they are up and running. The Everett location is also getting some items not on the menu at other Ezell’s including pie-cake and shredded barbecue chicken. As far as Oprah showing up, Ezell says he making the invitation and hopes she’ll at least mention it if she can’t find the time to stop by. (Oprah has had Ezell’s chicken flown in to Chicago and Ezell has also flown to Chicago to personally cook it for her birthday party).