OUR STORY

OUR STORY2022-04-01T13:43:52+00:00

Our founders, Joshua Simons and Steve Crawford, grew up between London and Bournemouth. Our story begins when they became friends, and realised their mutual love of southern-style BBQ, and in particular, the wonderful world of grilled chicken.

In their view, the high street offering was somewhat lacklustre, and so they began quietly planning the development of the original Chicken & Blues (then Chicken Shack), introducing the locals to the wonders of mama’s cookin’! Sensing the time was right, the Boscombe shop was secured, and after multiple road-tests to friends and family, Chicken Shack (C&B) opened its doors, and was an instant hit with the locals!

Multiple store openings ensued, as well as the C&B festival truck, which travelled far and wide. The good energy was infectious, resulting in national awards and positive press. Customers returned to the restaurants not only for the food, but for the warm southern-inspired hospitality.

Chicken & Blues continues to grow, keeping the same mission it has had from the start – to revolutionise the quick-serve high street chicken scene with a high quality BBQ offering, using only the best ingredients, sold at an affordable price, and with a smile!

March 2022

February 2022

December 2021

C&B relaunches Christmas Gift Box community project…

December 21st, 2021|

Chicken & Blues’ team is pleased to announce that its annual gift box initiative has returned this Christmas, working closely with Boscombe Childrens Centre in Bournemouth, in partnership with Deliveroo. With the help of generous supporters, 25 families in

April 2021

January 2021

November 2020

  • C&B launches first ever plant-based menu!

C&B launches first ever plant-based menu!

November 23rd, 2020|

Plant-based? Vegetarian? Flexitarian? Curious? we’re here for you… After speaking to hundreds of C&B Patrons over the past few months, our kitchen development team has been hard at work curating our first ever plant-based menu. Whether you’re a vegan,

July 2020

  • C&B launches the ‘Chicnic’!

C&B launches the ‘Chicnic’!

July 28th, 2020|

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings across Bournemouth and Poole this summer with a 'Chicnic'. You can now upgrade your takeaway by purchasing a C&B 'Winner Winner Chicken Dinner' Tote Bag, Picnic Rug, and a C&B branded Bottle Opener. Alcoholic beverages

March 2020

November 2019

  • Chicken & Blues announces multi-year exclusive partnership with Deliveroo

C&B scoops ‘Best Family Restaurant UK’!

November 7th, 2019|

In what was a triumphant night at Shoreditch Town Hall, London, Chicken & Blues picked up the ‘Best Family Restaurant UK’ gong, up against esteemed national competition. Jasmine Hemsley, of Hemsely + Hemsley fame (Selfridges), presented the trophy on

August 2018

  • C&B no.3 opens in Winton!

C&B no.3 opens in Winton!

August 7th, 2018|

C&B no.3 opens in Winton, Bournemouth, situated directly between Conto Lounge and Subway. This store is home to a 30-seater C&B, designed by KTM Design, which is backed by England International Tyrone Mings.

November 2017

  • C&B wins national award!

C&B wins national award!

November 7th, 2017|

Chicken & Blues was crowned ‘Best Takeaway in the South East of England’, with a notable ‘highly commended’ mention in the overall ‘Best Takeaway in Britain’ at The British Takeaway Awards 2017! The ceremony was held at London’s beautiful

July 2015

January 2015

  • Enter the Dragon!

Enter the Dragon!

January 25th, 2015|

January 2015 Another award! This time, Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis presents us with his business certification in a ceremony in Birmingham. Theo remarked that he was impressed by our journey so far, and offered us some awesome advice

July 2014

  • Chicken & Blues Logo

Welcome Chicken & Blues

July 30th, 2014|

We decide, after many licensing enquiries, to trademark our brand. We visit a lawyer in the city of London, and he informs us that we’ll need to change our name. We rack our brains. ‘We serve chicken, we play

March 2014

  • Chicken & Blues: Top 5 in the UK!

Top 5 in the UK!

March 10th, 2014|

After just 6 months, we were featured in The Metro Newspaper London as one of the top 5 chicken shops in the UK. Everyone blushed, and then got back to work on the grill – the shop got busier

September 2013

  • Chicken & Blues: First shop opens…

First shop opens…

September 18th, 2013|

We took the plunge and opened our first shop on Boscombe high street in Bournemouth, then known as Chicken Shack. We made some noise. Lines formed at the door - mama’s cookin’ had arrived! We ran out of chicken

January 2013

  • Chicken & Blues: Bournemouth

An idea…

January 23rd, 2013|

Over a few drinks on a rainy night in a far flung bar, a bunch of us realised our mutual love of BBQ chicken. We decided to embark on an emotional and exciting journey, researching southern American cooking styles,

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