The award-winning chef’s first fast casual chicken sandwich restaurant is set to open in Raleigh on Saturday, October 30th.
Chef Ashley Christensen, who has gained national acclaim as the chef of Poole’s Diner, is ready to open her first BB’s Crispy Chicken. The fast casual concept has been in development for more than two years and will be Christensen’s first restaurant outside of downtown Raleigh.
The renowned chef partnered with MDO Holdings to fully develop the burgeoning chain. The first location is in Raleigh’s Midtown East Shopping Center and will open to the public this Saturday, October 30th at 11:00 AM. The group already has two more locations already under construction, one in Durham’s University Hill and one in West Cary’s Parkside Town Commons.
The challenges of the pandemic gave Christensen and team more time to fine-tune the full menu, leadership team, and overall concept.
“From the start, we have wanted to highlight the overall greatness of the chicken sandwich. I also knew we wanted to share this with the world, so it brought a completely different level of focus for me and necessity for sensational flavor profiles throughout the menu. I was so focused on getting this right that I moved a frying set-up to my front porch so that every time I had an idea, I could simply go fire it up and try another iteration. We probably tried over 2,000 chicken sandwiches before landing on this final recipe. I really believe what we are about to unveil is greatness.” stated co-owner, Ashley Christensen.
The menu features 5 signature sandwiches and four different hot sandwiches – skillfully spiced by house made sauces that each feature a different TABASCO® sauce. All sandwiches are served on a locally sourced brioche bun and can include any of the 13 house made sauces. The sides include sweet potato waffle fries, sea-salt brined french fries and North Carolina’s Ashe County cheese curds that feature gluten-free panko breading. The Crunchy Dunkers, bigger than your traditional nugget, also utilize the gluten-free panko breading. Grilled chicken options will also be available for all sandwiches and dunkers.
In addition to the amazing sandwiches, sides and dunkers, there are two expertly-crafted salad options as well as two wraps—one of which is the signature “Pimento Toastie” that can even feature crunchy or grilled dunkers inside the melty goodness.
“It has been an extreme pleasure to work with Ashley. Throughout the process our focus has been getting this right at every level – from the chicken sandwich, the sides all the way to the back-end technology and seamless ordering process across all possible platforms. We’ve put a team together that matches our lofty vision, and we are thrilled to unveil this concept to the Triangle.” said MDO Holdings CEO, Michael Olander Jr.
BB’s boasts an easy-to-use app for both iPhone and Android as well as a seamless online ordering system. Inside the restaurant, in addition to ordering from a classic register, you can order from your table by scanning a special QR code that denotes your location.
Christensen went on to say, “Working with Michael and the MDO Holdings team has been the perfect partnership. We’ve had our fair share of hurdles in the last 19 months, but we always remained focused on opening a fast casual concept that we think can change how people view the quick serve industry.”
Two key hires were made to help properly develop and guide the overall BB’s brand. Derek Ryoti, the long-time Director of Operations for AC Restaurants, was hired in 2020 as the Director of Operations for BB’s Crispy Chicken. Also, Jeff Saudo, a mentor of Christensen’s and former Wake Tech Culinary professor, has been hired as the Director of Culinary Hospitality. Both bring an in-depth restaurant background that spans both fast casual and fine dining.
The team also consulted with renowned Human Resources consultant, Denise Leerkes, to help craft inclusive policies and procedures. Additionally, tip sharing should ensure that all team members earn $15 per hour or higher in addition to a benefits package that includes PTO for all full-time team members.
About Ashley Christensen
Christensen is a chef and restaurateur based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She owns and operates AC Restaurants, which includes Poole’s Diner, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Fox Liquor Bar, Death & Taxes, and AC Events. She most recently won the 2019 James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef. She has also been awarded “Chef of the year” by Eater in 2017 and Best Chef: Southeast by the James Beard Foundation in 2014.
Christensen began cooking while in college, throwing dinner parties for her friends and family. These intimate gatherings helped her recognize her passion for cooking and sharing food, and ultimately led to her first professional cooking job at the age of 21. Upon taking the position, she knew she had found her life’s work.
Christensen remains very active in local and regional non-profits and causes. She has served as a board member of the Frankie Lemmon foundation and is a co-chair of its annual fundraising event, Triangle Wine & Food Experience. In honor of her long-time support, the Frankie Lemmon School named their school’s kitchen in honor of Christensen in June of 2019. She has also served on the board of Raleigh’s Contemporary Art Museum and the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. She is an active member of the Southern Foodways Alliance and founded the biannual event Stir the Pot, in which she hosts visiting chefs in Raleigh to raise funds for the SFA’s documentary initiatives. Chistensen is currently serving as a board member for Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen and the Dix Park Conservancy.
About MDO Holdings
MDO Holdings is a Raleigh-based investment and management firm that strives to fuel creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit to help create healthier and stronger communities. The overall goal of every company in their operating portfolio is to create unique experiences that bring joy to the communities they serve. They take a collaborative approach across all business lines, believing that the exchange of resources and ideas will spark concepts and synergies that help everyone grow in ways they traditionally would not.
If you would like more information, please visit BBsCrispyChicken.com or contact Colleen Hamilton at (919) 532.0702 or by email.