A chain of fried chicken restaurants based in North Texas is expanding outside the state. The first Williams Chicken location opened in 1987 in southern Dallas, and Founder Hiawatha Williams now has 40 restaurants across Texas with 500 employees.
"I had no intention of doing more than one store, but I had friends who thought it was a great idea to come work with me," he says. "As they stayed with me, they got an opportunity to open their own store."
Williams says he would franchise his store to friends who worked with him for five years.
Now, one of those friends is planning to open a store in Chicago.
"You can't go wrong with chicken. I can eat any kind of chicken you present to me," he says. "We're just excited about the possibility and opportunity to expand outside the state of Texas."
As the chain grows, Williams says he initially expected he would expand in the South. He says he is also considering expansions toward Mississippi and Georgia.
With his success, Williams says he hopes his story can inspire others to come together and reverse feelings of division.
"You and I, we wouldn't have any problem sitting down having coffee together," he says. "You're welcome in my home. You're part of my family. I'm not obligated, I want to love you. I want to appreciate you. I want to be friends."
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