Flock and Fresh, a new chicken restaurant from Smoothie King CEO Wan Kim, is set to open on May 2, 2026, in the Greenville Avenue area of Dallas. Positioned as a competitor to established chicken chains like Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s, Flock and Fresh aims to stand out with a unique twist on the beloved chicken tender.

A Fresh Concept in the Chicken World

Kim, a seasoned businessman known for leading Smoothie King, has ventured into the chicken business with bold ambitions. His concept for Flock and Fresh centers on providing high-quality, antibiotic- and hormone-free chicken. The chicken is brined for 24 hours to enhance flavor, ensuring that every bite is as fresh and flavorful as possible. “It’s a night-and-day difference,” Kim explained, emphasizing that the brining process is integral to the restaurant’s identity.

However, the time-intensive brining process presents a challenge: “If we run out of chicken because it takes 24 hours to brine, we have to close our store,” Kim acknowledged. Despite this potential logistical issue, the focus on quality remains non-negotiable.

Menu Offerings: Healthier Chicken Choices

Flock and Fresh’s menu offers a variety of options that combine taste with healthier choices. Guests can opt for grilled or fried chicken tenders, which can be paired with either a salad or a sandwich. For example, the “Not So Guilty” Pleasure is a grilled chicken sandwich with bacon jam, while the Triple Flock ($12) consists of three tenders served with a kale salad and house-made potato chips.

In addition to classic chicken tenders, the menu includes a selection of sauces such as barbecue, honey mustard, Japanese ranch, curry ranch, Cajun Buffalo, and sweet Korean. The restaurant is designed to appeal to health-conscious consumers, particularly in the post-COVID era when more people are focused on fitness and well-being.

A Different Approach to Design

The design of Flock and Fresh also sets it apart from competitors like Raising Cane’s and Wingstop. Kim emphasized the use of “soft” colors like pink, orange, and green, which contrasts with the more “masculine” designs of other chicken chains. This intentional design choice is part of Kim’s broader vision to offer a unique dining experience that feels fresh and approachable.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

While Flock and Fresh’s first location is situated in Dallas, Kim has ambitious plans for expansion. Initially, the restaurant will test the model with a few more stores in the Dallas area before considering broader growth. However, the ultimate goal is to grow Flock and Fresh to the scale of competitors like Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-A.

Kim expressed confidence in the restaurant’s potential, noting, “If we grow to the size of Raising Cane’s or Chick-fil-A, we should be able to maintain the quality of our chicken.”

Opening Details and Location

Flock and Fresh will open its doors on May 2, 2026, at 5500 Greenville Ave., Suite 205, located near Lovers Lane in the Old Town Shopping Center. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, offering customers a fresh, healthier alternative to traditional fast food chicken joints.

As Kim continues to explore the viability of franchising and expanding Flock and Fresh, all eyes will be on this new concept to see if it can compete with the heavyweights of the chicken industry. With its focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients and a modern, approachable design, Flock and Fresh may just become Dallas’ next big success story in the fast-casual dining scene.