30+

Years of Flavor

50K+

Happy Customers

Menu Items

4.9★

Average Rating

Fresh golden fried chicken being prepared in the kitchen

1992 Est. in Lakewood

Our Origin

A Story Seasoned
With Passion

Church's Chicken was born from a simple but powerful belief: that great food brings people together. What started as a humble Southern kitchen in Lakewood, WA has grown into a beloved community institution, serving generations of families with the same time-honored recipes and heartfelt hospitality.

Every piece of chicken we serve carries the legacy of our founders — hand-seasoned, marinated overnight, and fried to golden perfection in small batches. We've never chased shortcuts because we know that authentic flavor can't be rushed.

"We don't just make chicken — we make memories. Every meal is a chance to bring joy to someone's table, and that's a responsibility we take seriously." — James Church, Founder

Today, our kitchen runs with the same soul it always has. New faces, new friends, but the same unwavering commitment to quality, community, and the bold flavors of the American South.

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What Drives Us

Our Mission & Vision

Everything we do flows from a core commitment to quality, community, and the Southern tradition of generous hospitality.

Our Mission

To deliver bold, authentic Southern flavors with genuine warmth — making every visit feel like a homecoming for every guest we serve.

Our Vision

To be the most trusted and beloved neighborhood chicken restaurant in the Pacific Northwest, known for unmatched quality and community spirit.

Our Promise

Fresh ingredients, hand-prepared daily. No frozen shortcuts. No compromises. Just honest, flavorful food made with care and pride every single day.

Community First

We're more than a restaurant — we're a neighbor. We actively support local schools, shelters, and community events in Lakewood and beyond.

What We Stand For

The Values Behind
Every Bite

Uncompromising Quality

We source only the finest chicken and spices, marinating every piece in our signature blend for a minimum of 12 hours before it ever touches the fryer.

People Over Profit

Our team members are family. We invest in their growth, wellbeing, and happiness — because happy people make better food and deliver better experiences.

Responsible Sourcing

From farm to fryer, we care about where our food comes from. We partner with ethical, local suppliers whenever possible to reduce our footprint and support our region.

Relentless Hospitality

Every guest deserves to feel special. From the first hello to the last bite, our team is trained to deliver warm, attentive service that keeps you coming back.

Church's Chicken team preparing fresh food with care and dedication

Our Journey

Milestones That Made Us

From a single fryer in a small kitchen to a Lakewood landmark — here's how our story unfolded.

1992

The First Kitchen Opens

James Church opens a modest 600 sq ft kitchen on Bridgeport Way SW, serving his grandmother's secret fried chicken recipe to the Lakewood neighborhood. Lines stretched around the block on day one.

1998

Best of Lakewood Award

Voted "Best Fried Chicken in Pierce County" by local readers for the first time — an honor we'd go on to claim six more times over the next two decades. The original recipe remained untouched.

2005

Full Dining Room Expansion

After years of takeout-only service, we expanded into a full 80-seat dining room. The renovation preserved the warmth and character of the original space while welcoming families to dine in comfort.

2012

Catering Service Launches

We launched our full-service catering division, bringing Church's legendary Southern flavors to weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings across Pierce and King counties.

2019

Online Ordering Goes Live

We launched our digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever for loyal customers to enjoy Church's chicken from the comfort of home. Orders tripled within the first month of launch.

2024

New Era, Same Soul

We renovated our flagship location, introduced new menu items inspired by Southern street food, and reaffirmed our pledge: Church's Chicken will always be about bold flavors and community love.

The People

Meet the Team Behind the Flavor

Our family of dedicated professionals brings passion, expertise, and genuine love for food to everything they do.

Marcus Thompson

Head Chef & Pitmaster

With 18 years of Southern cooking under his belt, Marcus perfected our signature marinade and introduced the beloved honey-glazed spice blend that guests can't stop talking about.

Angela Rivera

General Manager

Angela has been with Church's for 12 years and embodies our hospitality philosophy. Her warmth, efficiency, and team spirit make every shift run like a well-seasoned skillet.

Devon Okafor

Catering Director

Devon transformed our catering division into a full-service operation. He has orchestrated over 400 events — from intimate family gatherings to 500-person corporate banquets.

Sarah Kim

Quality & Sourcing Manager

Sarah ensures every ingredient that enters our kitchen meets the Church's standard of excellence. Her farm partnerships have elevated the quality of our signature dishes to new heights.

Want to join the Church's Chicken family? We're always looking for passionate people.

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Customer Love

What Our Community Says

Don't take our word for it — here's what the people of Lakewood have to say about Church's Chicken.

"I've been coming here since I was a kid. The chicken tastes exactly the same as I remember — crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned. Church's is a piece of Lakewood's soul."

Lisa M.

Lakewood Resident, 22 Years

"We catered our company's summer picnic through Church's and it was a huge hit. Devon and the team handled everything professionally. The food was absolutely incredible — everyone asked for the recipe!"

James R.

Corporate Client

"The staff here genuinely care. Angela always remembers my order and greets me by name. That kind of personal touch is so rare. The honey butter biscuits alone are worth the trip."

Priya S.

Regular Customer

About Church's Chicken

A Story Seasoned
With Passion