Kiki’s Chicken Place is separating from 10 of its Sacramento-area restaurants
Sacramento-based fried chicken chain Kiki’s Chicken Place is closing 10 of its restaurants in the Sacramento region, with independent operators planning to take over the locations.
A statement released on the Kiki’s social media Tuesday morning announced the impending closures, citing too-quick expansion and differing views between the brand and its partners as reasons for separating.
“’While we’re proud of our growth, we recognize that we grew too fast without the structure and systems necessary to ensure the best experience for our guests,’ Santiago Gonzalez, the founder of Kiki’s Chicken Place, said.”
“We understand that not all of our partners share the same vision or values for where we’re headed — and that’s OK. We wish them all the best as they begin this new chapter,” Gonzalez said in the statement.
The statement indicates the restaurants’ rebranding will occur over the next month, though it did not say when they will officially close as Kiki’s-branded eateries.
On Facebook, the brand thanked its customers and said the changes mark “a new chapter” in the business’s history and are “(an) invitation to join us on this journey, to grow with us, and to see what’s next.”
Gonzalez did not immediately respond to a Bee request for additional comment Tuesday.
The affected restaurants span Sacramento, Placer and San Joaquin counties. Two restaurants each in Sacramento and Arden Arcade are closing, along with one restaurant each in south Sacramento, Rosemont, Carmichael, Antelope, Roseville and Stockton.
On the Kiki’s website, the location map was updated to remove the former locations. There are 15 brick-and-mortar restaurants and eight food trucks remaining in the capital region.
The restaurant’s online statement said the remaining locations will continue serving their “fan-favorite classics” including wings, tenders and Kiki’s Fries loaded with mozzarella cheese, ranch and various other sauces. Additionally, the brand will be launching new menu items in the coming months as part of a refresh.
Kiki’s launched in the region in 2015 by Gonzalez and his wife, Summer, who died in 2022 of complications from COVID-19, The Bee previously reported. They named their restaurant after their daughter, Kiana, according to the restaurant’s posted statement.
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