Federal Donuts & Chicken, a fast-casual franchise from James Beard award-winning chef Michael Solomonov, is continuing to expand in Pennsylvania with 3 new locations, writes Gary Stern for Forbes.

Solomonov started Federal Donuts & Chicken with Steve Cook, a former investment banker turned restaurateur, in 2011. Since then, they have opened 10 locations around the Philadelphia region, including two arena stands.

The idea to combine a chicken and donut menu came to the co-owners during late night discussions after work at the Korean fried chicken place Café Soho in North Philadelphia.

They said they viewed “donuts and fried chicken as iconic foods, and they’re not going anywhere.”

When they first opened 13 years ago, they only had a shoestring budget of around $35,000, aiming to put their own twist and personal passion with their food.

When they sold out of everything they prepared on day one, they knew they were on to something.

They are now planning to open three new franchised Pennsylvania locations using capitalization from NewSpring Franchise, a private equity firm.

In March, the franchise debuted its first outlet in Las Vegas at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa.

“We bring together top-notch culinary skills with the ease of a fast-casual set-up,” said Solmonov.

Read more about Federal Donuts & Chicken and its latest expansion plans in Forbes.

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