UPDATE: Citing lost training time due to inclement weather, Joella's Hot Chicken has postponed opening and giveaway at its new Chevy Chase site until Jan. 28. Correct story follows.
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Joella’s Hot Chicken, the Louisville-based restaurant chain moving into the high-profile Chevy Chase property long occupied by Billy’s Bar-B-Q, has announced an opening date and a limited giveaway.
Joella’s will open Jan. 28 at 101 Cochran Road. To celebrate, the restaurant will give away a year’s supply of chicken meals to the first 100 adult customers in line.
“Our team is thrilled about bringing our hot chicken concept to the Lexington market, a move that will allow Joella’s to become a new favorite staple in the Lexington community as we continue to grow throughout the region,” Tony Palombino, founder CEO of Louisville-based EAP Restaurant Concepts, said in a statement. “In addition to giving away free hot chicken for a year to the first 100 adults in line, we’re eager to share what makes Joella’s distinctive as we introduce our famous hot chicken to new guests.”
The first 100 adult customers must have identification and will receive 52 coupons for chicken meals, according to Joella’s, which said the giveaway will cost more than $60,000. The company said the line can form up to 24 before the opening and that those in line will be treated to food samples and free apparel.
According to Joella’s, the “hot chicken” concept is based on traditional Nashville cuisine. Joella’s offers six spice levels for its chicken. The restaurant also will offer an innovated self-serve craft beer technology.
In addition to Joella’s, EAP Restaurant Concepts runs BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse and Manny & Merle.
Joella’s previous said its Lexington location will be headed up by Bruce Rosenblatt as managing partner.
Billy’s Bar-B-Q, a Lexington institution before closing abruptly at the end of November, was opened in August 1978 by Bob Stubblefield and Billy Parham, according to the company’s website.