WESTFIELD — All of it begins in Westfield.
“We’re coming for Massachusetts,” mentioned Lou Sterling, founder and CEO of Rooster’s Hen & Waffles.
Sterling began the Southern-fried rooster chain in Wethersfield, Connecticut, through the COVID-19 state of emergency, a shift from his earlier work in insurance coverage. He and a franchisee opened the primary Rooster’s location in Massachusetts final yr at 78 Franklin St., Westfield. Nonetheless, the franchisee was inexperienced with operating a restaurant, mentioned Sterling, and the shop closed in February. It had a smooth reopening in Might with what Sterling referred to as extra skilled and extra hands-on leaders.
Issues have gone nicely since then. Sterling mentioned the restaurant has gotten good group help, with good opinions and a few repeat prospects.
“I believe that Westfield is certainly going to be a flagship on this space,” he mentioned.
The restaurant hosted a grand opening and ribbon slicing ceremony Tuesday. Better Westfield Chamber of Commerce Govt Director Amanda Waterfield, Mayor Michael McCabe, state Rep. Kelly Pease, and a consultant from state Sen. John Velis’ workplace gave congratulatory citations to Sterling and to Sajid Khan, proprietor of the restaurant’s Chicopee franchise.
“The reopening of Rooster’s represents continued enlargement of our Franklin Avenue enterprise district. This restaurant brings one other delicacies to Franklin Avenue, becoming a member of Santiago’s, Feng Ye, and Mi Ranchito Tex Mex,” mentioned Waterfield, in an announcement.
Sigma Mattress, a Feeding Hills mattress producer, opened a storefront in the identical complicated final month.
Ward 3 Metropolis Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane was additionally delighted.
“I’m excited to have one other enterprise opening up within the ward. I hope everybody comes all the way down to Franklin Avenue and checks them out,” she mentioned.
Rooster’s second Western Massachusetts location, at 466 Chicopee St., Chicopee, opened 4 months in the past. Two extra places are deliberate quickly: one at 2341 Boston Highway, Wilbraham, in two weeks, and one at 164 Elm St., West Springfield, by July 1.
The corporate can also be trying into places in Agawam and Northampton, from the place it intends to develop towards the Boston space.
Rooster’s recipes come from Shateema Sterling’s grandmother from Georgia. On the menu is a rooster sandwich for $7.49 and a rooster tender wrap for $7.99. Each could be ordered as combos with fries and a soda, for $12.43 and $11.49, respectively. Lou Sterling’s favourite providing, a young and waffle meal, is $13.89 for 3 items; a five-piece is $15.29.
“We now have a secret pearl sugar that’s inserted into the waffle to offer you that good, candy, satisfying style that everyone get hooked on,” he mentioned.
Sauces embody sriracha, candy chili, garlic parm, “Korean” and the “soiled chicken,” the spiciest taste.
“The soiled chicken is certainly a fan favourite,” mentioned Sterling. “If you first take your first chunk, it’s enjoyable, then, bam! It hits you want ‘Woah!’”
Sides are $4.49, and embody corn fritters, mashed potatoes with gravy, fried plantains, fried pickles, mac and cheese and pikliz, a Haitian pickled cabbage condiment.
Rooster’s is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday at 78 Franklin St., Westfield. Supply is on the market by way of DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub or at roosterschickenandwaffles.com. The shop additionally caters all occasions, Sterling mentioned.
Different places embody Chicopee in Massachusetts and Wethersfield, Middletown, Waterbury and New Britain in Connecticut.