ST. CHARLES – The owner of the Brown's Chicken franchise in St. Charles has ended his affiliation with the company to start Choo Choo's Chicken, a restaurant that delivers food and ice cream to children by model train.
Tim Kennefick said he and Brown's Chicken are involved in a lawsuit but would not further elaborate on his split from the company.
"They were heading in the wrong direction," Kennefick said. "We felt it was the best thing we could do."
Brown's Chicken co-founder Frank Portillo also declined to provide details.
"I can't give any comment until we have these legal issues taken care of," he said.
Kennefick's four children – ages 5, 7, 9 and 11 – were the inspiration for Choo Choo's Chicken's train theme, which includes a model train that delivers customers' food, he said.
"When kids hit the door, they take off running toward the train," Kennefick said.
Brown's Chicken in St. Charles changed to Choo Choo's Chicken about two weeks ago, Kennefick said. Although it is open for business, he said, its carnival-theme decor – a mural and interactive displays – is not complete.
The menu includes chicken, pizza, Mexican food and sandwiches, he said. The restaurant also offers catering.
"We're going to try to make a family-friendly place with quality food at a reasonable price," Kennefick said.
He owns another Choo Choo's Chicken, 2115 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora, that opened more than a year ago, he said. It, too, used to be a Brown's Chicken, he said.
The former Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits, just east of Choo Choo's Chicken on Route 38, remains vacant after about six months, said Michael Mertes, the city's economic development coordinator. Leasing the space is not just important for sales tax purposes, he said, but also to give residents more retail or dining options.
"You just don't want to see empty storefronts," he said.
Another eatery does not necessarily have to move in, Mertes said, but with a drive-up window the building is equipped for such a tenant.
The city has marketed the building by cold calling potential occupants, sending out materials and recommending it to people who say they may open a business in St. Charles, Mertes said. There has been some interest, he said, but nothing definitive.
"We're doing everything we can," he said.
Choo Choo's Chicken
1910 Route 38, St. Charles
630-377-3006