Filmmaker Morocco Vaughn and Prominent Club Owner Skee Franchise to Open New Harold’s Chicken Location in Kennesaw

Morocco Vaughn and Skee Franchise, two Chicago natives, know that if there is one thing their hometown is renowned for, it’s world-class food. Like many from the south and west sides of the city, one of their favorite go-to destinations was the historic and popular Harold’s Chicken – which is why they decided to team up and introduce the restaurant to different areas across the country. On Saturday, February 3^rd, they, along with some of metro Atlanta’s Who’s Who, will celebrate the grand opening of their hip new location at 3061 George Busbee Pkwy, Kennesaw, GA.

This particular restaurant, connected to the Kennesaw State University off-campus apartment complex, Bixby, can be considered a work of art. The interior aesthetics showcase a brilliant collaboration between Vaughn, a successful independent filmmaker, and his cousin Skee Franchise, a real estate investor, owner of Club Wet in Las Vegas, and creator/owner of the popular Chicago favorite, Blō Room Hookah Lounge. It will feature a sports bar, music and events, as well as the succulent dishes and bold sauces people have come to love since founder Harold Pierce founded the food chain in 1950. Not to mention, the restaurant is the perfect spot for night-time eats, fitting seamlessly in a building that already features a game room, computer lab, fitness center, and other amenities for its residents.

“Harold’s is a Chicago tradition, and we are faces from Chicago that people recognize,” Vaughn said. “We care about the integrity of the brand, so while there are other Harold’s restaurants popping up, what separates us is that everything is original and comes straight from Chicago… no substitutions.”

Among the most important aspects is food that is always fresh, never frozen, and prepared to order. Of course patrons can have their meals with Harold’s Chicken’s world famous mild sauce or hot sauce. Vaughn is also the co-owner of a successful location on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, and maintains a close relationship with franchise owners Vincent Sherrod and Kristen Sherrod-Pierce. He expects the Kennesaw restaurant to have the same success, becoming a fixture in the community among locals, college students and visitors.

“The food in Chicago can’t be replaced. As a Chicago foodie who has been inspired by Harold Pierce’s story and other  entrepreneurs such as by Billy Dec, a filmmaker and restaurateur I had the pleasure of working with on a previous film, I’m excited to experience day-to-day operations here in Georgia,” Vaughn said. “This is the first step, but we plan to open more Harold’s locations.”

Skee Franchise shares that sentiment.

“After being in the nightlife industry for almost 20 years, it has been my dream, as of late, to own a restaurant,” he said. “I saw this opportunity as a great stepping-stone to enter the restaurant business and also a great opportunity to represent my hometown and a very popular hometown staple. Our goal is to uphold the integrity of the franchise and to open up more doors for ourselves in the food service industry.”

The restaurant had a soft opening on December 18, but the full menu and amenities will be available starting on the day of the grand opening.