Ezell’s Famous Chicken is a decades-old Seattle institution.

It’s also family run.

But its next chapter might look a little different – nationwide expansion steered from outside of the family.

We’ll talk about it with owner Lewis Rudd and reporter Egan Ward in a minute.

Read Egan's reporting here.

We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us. Tap here to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.

Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at seattlenow@kuow.org, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or leave us feedback online.

Ezell&rsquo;s Famous Chicken is a decades-old Seattle institution.
It&rsquo;s also family run.
But its next chapter might look a little different &ndash; nationwide expansion steered from outside of the family.
We&rsquo;ll talk about it with owner Lewis Rudd and reporter Egan Ward in a minute.
Read Egan's reporting <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/27/ezells-famous-chicken-lewis-rudd-ceo-retire.html">here</a>.
We can only make Seattle Now because listeners support us.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kuow.org/donate/seattlenow">Tap here</a> to make a gift and keep Seattle Now in your feed.
Got questions about local news or story ideas to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:seattlenow@kuow.org">seattlenow@kuow.org</a>, leave us a voicemail at (206) 616-6746 or<a href="https://www.kuow.org/feedback"> leave us feedback online</a>.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now is KUOW's flagship daily news podcast. Seattle Now brings you quick headlines, smart analysis, and award-winning local news. New episodes every weekday morning and afternoon. Start and end your day with Seattle Now, from KUOW and the NPR Network.

Seattle Now

Ezell’s Famous Chicken is a decades-old Seattle institution.  It’s also family run.  But its next chapter might look a little different – nationwide expansion steered from outside of the family.  We’ll talk about it with owner Lewis Rudd and reporter Egan Ward in a minute.