Vegan chicken restaurant on Dallas' Greenville Ave to close in acquisition

Buzzy vegan chicken fast-food chicken chain Project Pollo has been acquired. According to founder/owner Lucas Bradbury, the San Antonio-based chain was approached by a national group who will acquire their infrastructure, team, leadership, and locations.

Bradbury did not identify who the chain was, but described it as being similar to Zoes Kitchen and CAVA, and said that the transition from Project Pollo to new concept would begin in mid April.

The acquisition affects all locations including the one in Dallas at 4814 Greenville Ave., which will close on April 30, and will reopen later this summer under the new concept.

Bradbury will still own one location in Austin, which will continue to operate as a vegan fast-food spot, although possibly under a different name.

"This is a bittersweet moment as a founder," Bradbury said. "On one hand, a huge win, and on the other, falling short of the mission we set out to accomplish. Nonetheless, we are moving forward and locations will turnover operation due to the terms of the deal between April 16 and April 30."

Bradbury founded Project Pollo in 2020 to be just like a fast-food chicken restaurant in every way except the food was entirely vegan, combining plant-based affordability, convenience, and sustainability.

The menu featured vegan chicken sandwiches, wraps, and strips, plus loaded French fries, mac & cheese, available plain or topped with chicken nuggets, burgers, and milkshakes.

The company appeared on Shark Tank and expanded quickly, some might say too quickly, opening locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and Las Vegas. The food was well received — the Dallas location, which opened in February 2022, has 4.4 stars out of 5 on Google — but the chain experienced some of the usual mid-pandemic issues in service and consistency.

In February, Bradbury ruffled some vegan feathers when he debuted a new concept called Side Chicks at 303 San Pedro Ave., which served Project Pollo's menu of plant-based sandwiches, salads, and oat milkshakes, side-by-side with real chicken options including a Nashville hot sandwich, nuggets, wings, and a Caesar wrap.

At the time, he said he expanded the menu to keep the business afloat.

The acquisition schedule for locations so far is as follows:

• Project Pollo, 9390 Huebner Rd., April 7
• Project Pollo, 9519 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, April 30
• Project Pollo, 4814 Greenville Ave Dallas, April 30
• Project Pollo, 2438 W Anderson TBD

The acquisition will also include Side Chicks, which will close on April 16. The status on their remaining locations will be announced at a later date.

"It has been nothing short of an exceptional ride and we are thankful to the community that has been such a huge part of our success," he said.