Have you ever found yourself craving that perfectly seasoned, pressure-cooked chicken from Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, only to wonder how many locations actually exist? Whether you’re traveling and need your fried chicken fix or just curious about this beloved chain, I’ve got all the crispy details for you!
As a dedicated food blogger who’s traveled to numerous Lee’s locations (and sampled way too many chicken pieces for “research”), I’m excited to share everything I know about this chicken chain’s presence across North America.
The Current Count: How Many Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Restaurants Exist?
As of September 2025 Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken operates approximately 130 restaurant locations across North America. These restaurants are primarily concentrated in the Midwestern and Southern United States with some international presence as well.
Breaking down the current locations by region:
| Region/Country | Number of Locations |
|---|---|
| United States | 124 |
| Canada (British Columbia) | 3 |
| International (Other) | 3 |
The U.S. locations are distributed across several states, with the highest concentration in
- Kentucky: 37 locations
- Ohio: 42 locations
- Indiana: 13 locations
- Michigan: 12 locations
- Missouri: 16 locations
- Illinois: 4 locations
Other states with Lee’s Chicken presence include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin, though these typically have fewer locations per state.
A Brief History of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
To understand how Lee’s grew to its current size, we need to look at its tasty history:
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken was founded in 1966 by Lee Cummings, who happens to be the nephew of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Harland Sanders (Colonel Sanders). Talk about fried chicken running in the family!
Lee Cummings developed his own unique “Famous Recipe” featuring a special blend of herbs and spices that differentiated his chicken from his uncle’s creation The pressure-cooking method he pioneered helped create the juicy interior and crispy exterior that fans still love today,
Over the decades, Lee’s has experienced periods of both expansion and contraction. While never reaching the global scale of KFC or Popeyes, Lee’s has maintained a devoted following, particularly in its core Midwestern and Southern markets.
How Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Compares to Other Chicken Chains
When compared to other major fried chicken chains, Lee’s sits somewhere in the middle in terms of restaurant count:
- KFC: 23,000+ locations worldwide
- Popeyes: 3,700+ locations
- Church’s Chicken: 1,500+ locations
- Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken: ~130 locations
- Bojangles: 780+ locations
While Lee’s might not have the massive footprint of KFC, their loyal customer base appreciates their focus on quality over quantity. I personally think this has helped them maintain consistent food quality across locations – something that can be challenging for larger chains!
What Makes Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Special?
Before I go further, you might be wondering what makes Lee’s worth seeking out among all the chicken chains out there. Here’s what sets them apart:
- The Famous Recipe: Their signature blend of herbs and spices creates a distinctive flavor profile
- Pressure-Cooking Method: Results in chicken that’s crispy outside and juicy inside
- Fresh, Never Frozen Chicken: Many locations pride themselves on using fresh chicken
- Homestyle Sides: From creamy mashed potatoes to cole slaw and green beans
- Regional Presence: Creates a sense of exclusivity in areas where they operate
My personal favorite is their jumbo chicken dippers – perfect for dipping in their signature sauces!
Finding a Lee’s Chicken Near You
If all this chicken talk has made you hungry (sorry about that!), you might be wondering how to find the nearest Lee’s location. Here are the states where you can currently find Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken restaurants:
- Alabama (1 location)
- British Columbia, Canada (3 locations)
- Florida (3 locations)
- Georgia (1 location)
- Illinois (4 locations)
- Indiana (13 locations)
- Kentucky (37 locations)
- Michigan (12 locations)
- Missouri (16 locations)
- Ohio (42 locations)
- South Carolina (1 location)
- Tennessee (2 locations)
- Virginia (1 location)
- Wisconsin (1 location)
To find the specific location nearest you, you can visit their official website and use the store locator tool.
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Services and Options
Beyond just the number of locations, it’s worth noting what services are available at Lee’s restaurants. These can vary by location, but many offer:
- Pickup: Available at virtually all locations
- Delivery: Available at select locations, often through third-party delivery services
- Curbside Pickup: Available at some locations, particularly in Indiana and Ohio
- Catering: Many locations offer catering services for events
Hours also vary by location, but most Lee’s restaurants open around 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and close in the evening.
The Future of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
What does the future hold for this beloved chicken chain? According to industry reports and the company’s own statements, Lee’s is actively pursuing growth opportunities through:
- Franchise Expansion: Seeking new franchisees to open additional locations
- Menu Innovation: Introducing new items while maintaining their classic offerings
- Digital Integration: Enhancing online ordering and delivery capabilities
- Market Penetration: Strengthening presence in existing markets before expanding to new ones
While the exact growth projections aren’t public, the company appears committed to steady, sustainable expansion rather than rapid growth that might compromise quality.
FAQs About Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
How many Lee’s Chicken restaurants were there originally?
While the exact number of original locations isn’t widely documented, Lee’s began as a single concept and gradually expanded through franchising throughout the late 1960s and 1970s.
Are all Lee’s Chicken restaurants franchised?
Yes, the vast majority of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken restaurants operate under a franchise model, allowing local entrepreneurs to own and operate locations while maintaining the brand standards.
Does Lee’s Chicken offer vegetarian options?
Lee’s Chicken primarily focuses on chicken-based items and has limited vegetarian options. Some side dishes might be vegetarian-friendly, but it’s best to check with your local restaurant for specific ingredient information.
What are the most popular menu items at Lee’s Chicken?
The most popular items include their Famous Recipe Chicken (original and spicy varieties), Chicken Tenders, Country Fried Chicken, and sides like mashed potatoes with gravy and cole slaw.
Can I open my own Lee’s Chicken franchise?
Yes! Lee’s offers franchising opportunities for qualified individuals. Information about becoming a franchisee is available on their official website, including investment requirements and application processes.
My Personal Take on Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
Having visited numerous Lee’s locations during my culinary adventures, I can honestly say their chicken offers something different from the major chains. There’s something almost nostalgic about the experience – maybe it’s the regional, smaller-chain feel or the recipes that haven’t changed much over decades.
When I visit a new city with a Lee’s, I always make a point to stop in. Each location has its own character while maintaining that consistent chicken quality. And those pressure-cooked chicken pieces with that distinctive seasoning? Worth seeking out!
Conclusion: Finding Your Lee’s Chicken Fix
With approximately 130 locations spread primarily across the Midwest and South, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken maintains a dedicated following without the global ubiquity of some competitors. This has allowed them to focus on quality and consistency while gradually expanding their footprint.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone curious to try their Famous Recipe for the first time, the chain’s website makes it easy to locate the nearest restaurant. And if you’re in Kentucky or Ohio, you’re particularly lucky – with dozens of locations to choose from!
Have you visited a Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant? What’s your favorite menu item? Drop a comment below – I’m always interested in hearing about fellow fried chicken enthusiasts’ experiences!
And next time you’re craving that perfect piece of pressure-cooked chicken, now you know exactly how many Lee’s locations are out there waiting to satisfy your craving!
How many Lee’s Famous Recipe locations are there in the United States?
There are 123 Lees Famous Recipe locations in the United States as of November 23, 2023. The state and territory with the most number of Lees Famous Recipe locations in the US is Ohio, with 40 locations, which is about 33% of all Lees Famous Recipe locations in the US. 123 Locations
Top 10 States and Territories with the most Lee’s Famous Recipe locations
A location for every 292,225 people, in Ohio with about 33% of the total number of Lees Famous Recipe locations
A location for every 127,657 people, in Kentucky with about 28% of the total number of Lees Famous Recipe locations
A location for every 383,562 people, in Missouri with about 13% of the total number of Lees Famous Recipe locations
| State / Territory | Number of locations | Population | Population per location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 40 (33%) | 11.69M | 292.23K |
| Kentucky | 35 (28%) | 4.47M | 127.66K |
| Missouri | 16 (13%) | 6.14M | 383.56K |
| Indiana | 12 (10%) | 6.73M | 561.00K |
| Michigan | 7 (6%) | 9.99M | 1.43M |
| Illinois | 3 (2%) | 12.67M | 4.22M |
| Florida | 3 (2%) | 21.48M | 7.16M |
| Tennessee | 3 (2%) | 6.83M | 2.28M |
| South Carolina | 1 (1%) | 5.15M | 5.15M |
| Virginia | 1 (1%) | 8.54M | 8.54M |
There are Lees Famous Recipe locations in 12 states and territories in the United States