Move over, Raising Cane’s? Alabama’s legendary chicken finger chain just opened in Reno-Sparks

A New Addition to Reno-Sparks’ Chicken Finger Scene

A new restaurant has entered the competitive world of chicken fingers in Reno-Sparks with the opening of Guthrie’s Golden Fried Chicken Fingers. This Alabama-based franchise has brought its signature golden fried chicken fingers to the area, marking its first location in Reno-Sparks and the second in Northern Nevada. The Sparks location is situated at 6107 Golden Triangle Way, just off Vista Boulevard, following the opening of a Carson City location last year. Additionally, Guthrie’s already operates a third location in Las Vegas.

A Rich History Rooted in Alabama

Guthrie’s Golden Fried Chicken Fingers has a long history that dates back to 1965 when it was founded in Haleyville, Alabama. Initially, the restaurant operated as a drive-in with a menu that included burgers and other traditional fare. However, in 1978, founder Hal Guthrie decided to revamp the menu by introducing chicken fingers.

The idea came about after Hal Guthrie walked into the restaurant and announced the addition of chicken fingers to the menu. He also held a contest for his four children to create the best dipping sauce. His 10-year-old son, Hud, won the competition with a recipe that would become known as the restaurant’s “Signature Sauce.”

Expansion and Menu Evolution

Four years later, Guthrie’s opened a new location approximately 200 miles away in Auburn, where his oldest son, Chris, was attending Auburn University. The family opted for a simplified menu that focused solely on chicken tenders, giving birth to the concept of a chicken finger-only restaurant. This model has since been replicated across multiple locations, including the new Sparks spot.

Today, Guthrie’s offers a streamlined menu that features crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, tea, and soda. Customers can also order chicken fingers as a sandwich with lettuce and the signature sauce. One key difference from competitors like Raising Cane’s is the variety of dipping sauces available. In addition to the Signature Sauce, Guthrie’s also serves Homemade Ranch, Honey Mustard, and BBQ Sauce.

A Growing Market for Fried Chicken

Guthrie’s newest location joins a thriving fast-casual fried chicken scene in the Reno area. Over the past few years, the market has seen significant growth, with several national chains such as Raising Cane’s, BWW Go, Slim Chickens, and Dave’s Hot Chicken establishing a presence. Alongside these chains, there are also numerous local favorites, including Crazy D’s Hot Chicken, Basak Chicken, Wings Korean Chicken, Cluckers, and Cluckz.

This expansion reflects the growing demand for high-quality, convenient fried chicken options in the region. With its unique approach to menu items and a strong emphasis on flavor, Guthrie’s is poised to make a lasting impact in the Reno-Sparks dining landscape.