Atlanta-based, Japanese-American fast-casual eatery PONKO Chicken is gearing up to open its sixth franchised location, this time in Lenox Square Mall.
PONKO Chicken will occupy the former Taziki’s space within the Lenox Square Dining Pavilion, directly next door to Great Wraps and a few doors down from Checkers, Wok Dragon, and Five Guys.
It is expected to open before the end of the first quarter of 2020, offering a full menu of made-to-order Japanese-fusion chicken tenders, salads, tacos, and sandwiches.
Lenox Square Mall’s food court map slates PONKO for a March 30 debut, but reps Tuesday for the restaurant did not immediately confirm that timeline.
“We are extremely happy to be in Lenox Square and to be working with Simon Property Group,” Dr. Patrick Sallarulo, PONKO Chicken’s Chairman and CEO, said via a press statement.
“This is our first shopping center and we could not be more excited or proud that we are able to work alongside an Atlanta trademark, like Lenox Square.”
Sallarulo along with Maggie Antoine (Culinary Executive) and Reiko Clark (Brand Executive) partnered together in 2017 to relaunch the company with a flagship PONKO Chicken Restaurant in Chamblee.
In 2018, the three owners began franchising, spearheading the first PONKO Chicken franchise store in Midtown in 2019.
PONKO Franchise Corporation currently has agreements to open more than 25 stores in various locations throughout the Atlanta Metropolitan Area.
Another Buckhead franchise helmed by Linda and Alex Lam opened in the Chastain Square Shopping Center in December.
