Investors revisit Springdale's AQ Chicken House
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Artist's rendering for the planned return of AQ Chicken House in Springdale. Courtesy: Core Architects
"Cluck yeah," reads the AQ Chicken House website.
- "We're back!"
Why it matters: The original Springdale AQ, which closed in March 2023 after 75 years, is getting new life from investors. The hope is to reopen a new iteration of the iconic restaurant before kickoff of the first Razorback football game in 2025.
- Former President Bill Clinton celebrated a birthday with pan-fried chicken at the restaurant, and George W. Bush once ordered AQ from Air Force One, according to the restaurant's former website.
State of play: The partners are with Catalyst Capital — the family office of Tom Lundstrum and state Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R-Springdale), along with daughter Gracie Lively and son-in-law Jacob Lively.
- They purchased the rights and recipes for AQ — which stands for Arkansas quality — from the previous owner, Dick Bradley.
Tom Lundstrum and Jacob Lively wouldn't disclose the purchase amount but told Axios it was "very fair."
- "It would cost a fortune to go out and try and build from scratch the name recognition and the brand recognition AQ has," Tom Lundstrum said, so the group has confidence it will be a success.
The latest: The 13,000-square-foot eatery will be on 48th Street — near Walmart on Elm Springs Road, with frontage along Interstate 49. The land is part of Robin Lundstrum's family farm, most of which has been parceled and sold.
- The objective is for the new site to be family friendly and maybe have a playscape where children can do a little wandering, much like the old location.
- A notable new perk will be made-on-site premium ice cream.
Reality check: The group is just beginning the permitting process with the city, so be cautioned that their hopeful time frame is indeed optimistic.
What they're saying: They're not focused on expanding the brand beyond the new restaurant just yet. "In my mind, what we have to deliver on day one — until I feel like it's perfect — is we've got to deliver the most exceptional bone-in, fried-chicken experience in the country."
- "If we can deliver on that, we'll think about something else," Tom Lundstrum said.
What we're watching: The partners don't yet know what company will supply the chicken.
- "I would love to use an Arkansas vendor. I would really like to use a local vendor," Tom Lundstrum said.
The bottom line: "At the end of the day, I've got to have … a consistent, reliable source of supply, where I can provide a good value to my customers. And we'll just see if that happens."
- "If not, we'll have to look elsewhere."