It’s been a decade since the last Koo Koo Roo location shut its doors in Santa Monica. The beloved fast-casual chicken restaurant, once a staple in Los Angeles, is now on the brink of an exciting revival. Daniel Farasat<\/strong>, an L.A.-based entrepreneur, acquired the brand’s intellectual property in 2022 and has big plans for its comeback. This isn’t just any return; it’s a meticulously planned renaissance that aims to rekindle the brand’s former glory.<\/p>\n Farasat views himself as more than just an owner. “I feel like I’m a custodian of a brand,” he explains, highlighting the emotional connection that many have with Koo Koo Roo. The buzz surrounding the revival has been overwhelming, with fans eagerly awaiting the reopening of its physical locations. However, Farasat emphasizes that rebuilding the brand, especially with brick-and-mortar stores, is a process that takes time.<\/p>\n While the first new Koo Koo Roo location is slated to open in late 2025, fans don’t have to wait that long for a taste. This weekend, the ChainFest<\/strong> event in downtown L.A. will offer a sneak peek of the revamped Koo Koo Roo. Rather than the restaurant’s famous skinless chicken, attendees will get to sample garlic roasted potatoes and macaroni and cheese<\/strong>. These beloved sides offer a glimpse into the flavors that helped establish Koo Koo Roo as a household name.<\/p>\n “We think it\u2019s just a fun way to show that, yes, Koo Koo Roo is coming back,” said Chain co-founder Nicky Kraft. “It\u2019s like a Comic-Con for pop cuisine.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Farasat, known for his work with Tiger West Capital, has experience in the restaurant industry as an early investor in Sweetgreen. His passion for Koo Koo Roo stems from its heyday in the 1990s and 2000s, when the chain expanded to 40 locations across California, Nevada, and Florida. Originally founded in 1988 by Mike and Ray Badalian, Koo Koo Roo went through several ownership changes and bankruptcies before being acquired by Texas-based Luby\u2019s in 2010. When Luby’s announced plans to liquidate assets in late 2020, Farasat saw an opportunity.<\/p>\n Included in the purchase were original recipes, trademarks, the domain name, and business manuals<\/strong>. Farasat has since enlisted former Koo Koo Roo executives and chefs to consult on the revival. His wife, Hila, is assisting with operations, while his brother Raphael is involved in the rebranding effort. Farasat aims to emphasize Koo Koo Roo\u2019s Los Angeles roots and play on 1990s\/2000s nostalgia.<\/p>\n “People have a real connection to it,” Farasat said. \u201cWe\u2019re \u2018born in LA,\u2019 and we even trademarked putting that on some of our merch.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n After ChainFest, Farasat plans to keep the momentum going with pop-up events and collaborations with chefs. These initiatives aim to maintain public interest and satisfy eager fans until the first physical location opens. Upcoming events will offer more opportunities to sample signature Koo Koo Roo dishes, helping to satiate the public’s craving for the brand.<\/p>\n Alongside Koo Koo Roo, ChainFest<\/strong> will feature several other iconic chains presenting creative spins on their classic dishes. Highlights include:<\/p>\n Chains might seem impersonal, but they often hold a special place in people\u2019s hearts. Nicky Kraft reflects on this phenomenon, noting how food can be deeply emotional and tied to family memories. The event will serve as a nostalgic journey for many, allowing attendees to relive and make new memories with their favorite brand.<\/p>\n The revival of Koo Koo Roo also highlights a broader trend in the dining industry. There’s an increasing appreciation for the cultural impact of chain restaurants, and events like ChainFest capitalize on this growing interest. By reinventing traditional chain dishes, these events offer a fresh take on familiar favorites, appealing to both nostalgic diners and new generations.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss out on this chance to relive a piece of Los Angeles history and experience the first steps of Koo Koo Roo’s exciting journey back. Share this article on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After a decade, Koo Koo Roo is making a comeback in L.A., starting with a sneak peek at ChainFest on Oct. 5. Taste the iconic garlic roasted potatoes and macaroni and cheese, as Daniel Farasat meticulously plans the brand’s revival. Exciting times ahead!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11493,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tv-series"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movieetv.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Building a legacy<\/h2>\n
ChainFest: A taste of what’s to come<\/h2>\n
An entrepreneur’s passion project<\/h2>\n
Reviving a brand, rekindling memories<\/h2>\n
What fans can expect<\/h2>\n
Highlights from ChainFest<\/h3>\n
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The emotional connection with chain restaurants<\/h2>\n
A broader cultural shift<\/h3>\n