Origins & Early Years
Harold Pierce founded Harold’s Chicken Shack in 1950, opening the first store in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood on 47th Street and Greenwood Avenue (some sources also reference 47th Street and Kenwood).
Before that, Harold and his wife Hilda had operated a small soul‑food spot on 39th Street called “H&H,” which served dumplings and chicken feet.
The shift to fried chicken came as both a business opportunity and a response to racial and economic realities: larger fast‑food chains at the time generally avoided African-American neighborhoods, and traditional barriers — legal, financial, social — made it difficult for Black entrepreneurs to expand downtown or into the North Side.
Thus, Harold’s wasn’t just another restaurant — it became a Black‑owned institution, giving community members affordable, quality food and entrepreneurial opportunities within their own neighborhoods.
Growth — Local and National
From that single shack on the South Side, Harold’s expanded steadily over decades. What started as a neighborhood favorite turned into a cherished Chicago institution.
By 2021, the chain officially celebrated 70 years in business. At that time, it had “more than 40” locations.
As of recent reports, Harold’s is marking its 75th anniversary — a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
While the majority of stores remain concentrated in Chicago (especially on the South Side and in south suburbs), the brand has expanded into several other states.
According to the official corporate site, Harold’s now maintains “over 45 locations in 8 states across the country.”
Leadership — Still Family‑Run
Today, Harold’s Chicken is still run by the family: the CEO is Kristen Pierce — daughter of Harold Pierce.
Under her leadership, the brand has continued to grow and adapt, while attempting to preserve the original spirit: made-to-order chicken, signature sauces, and counter‑service “shack” vibe.
Kristen Pierce and her husband (who helps with training and development for franchised locations) emphasize that the business isn’t a traditional corporate franchise model. Instead, Harold’s operates more like a network of licensed, independently run stores — meaning each location may have some variation, but all trace back to the original Harold’s legacy.
How Many Stores in Chicago — and Current Reach
- According to publicly available history, at one point the chain had about 40 locations in Chicago.
- Some reporting notes that in recent years there were “40 locations across the city.”
- The chain’s official website currently notes that Harold’s brings its “renowned … chicken” to over 45 locations in 8 states nationwide.
Because of their licensing‑rather‑than‑tight‑franchising model, and because some stores have opened or closed over time, exact counts (especially within Chicago) tend to fluctuate slightly depending on what is considered an “official” Harold’s Chicken location.
