DALLAS – Golden Chick, which has operated eateries in Texas and Oklahoma since 1967, recently expanded internationally in the Middle East and plans to start operating in Asia next year.

Its first overseas restaurant opened Sept. 5 in Amman, Jordan.


"Over the last 20 years we've had numerous inquiries about expanding into the Middle East. We have been waiting until the right opportunity came along," says Mark Parmerlee, chairman of Golden Companies. "Hasan has a successful Golden Chick restaurant in Oklahoma, and we are confident that his pilot restaurant in Amman will do well."

Golden Chick also plans to open restaurants in 10 Asian countries. The first location in China should open in 2012.

Golden Chick is a Southern style restaurant known for its signature Original Golden Tender, a marinated whole chicken tenderloin that's hand-battered and cooked. Based in Dallas, the chain operates close to 100 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma and s expanding into the Middle East and Asia.