Plans Submitted For Revived AQ Chicken House

Dating back to 1947, AQ Chicken House in Springdale once ruled the roost in terms of local chicken joints.

At one point, the establishment included its original location off N Thompson in Springdale (now a Club Car Wash), a location on College Ave in Fayetteville (now Grand Savings Bank), and a location in Bentonville, which burned down in 2004.

The original location closed its doors in 2023, but a group of locals has plans to get the place back up and cluckin’.

A new ownership team, comprised of Tom and Robin Lundstrum and Jacob and Gracie Lively, acquired the brand with a commitment to rekindle the spirit of this cherished Arkansas classic.

Plans have been submitted to the City of Springdale for a new building near the Elm Springs exit on I-49. Once approved by the city and planning commission, the development team can then seek a grading permit and proceed with breaking ground on the new site.

“This is an exciting step forward in reviving a beloved landmark in Springdale,” said Jacob Lively. “After months of planning, design, and pre-development work, we are excited to advance toward the construction phase of the new AQ Chicken House.”

The new AQ Chicken House will be a family-friendly, community-centric restaurant designed to honor its rich history. Key features of the new build include an outdoor area for kids, outdoor covered dining, dedicated carry-out for meals to go, unique “silo” dining rooms, an ice cream room for made-on-site premium ice cream, and a bright, updated design that honors the past while inviting new generations.

The building will cover 13,041 square feet under the roof, of which 10,167 is conditioned space. The restaurant will also feature a return to the original recipes that made AQ Chicken House famous.

“We want the new AQ Chicken House to be a community gathering space, a place where families can come together and create lasting memories,” said Tom Lundstrum, partner of AQ Chicken House. “We are committed to preserving the legacy of AQ while bringing it into the future with thoughtful design and modern amenities.”

Set to open in 2025, follow AQ Chicken for updates HERE.