Huey Magoo’s expands local store count

Plans to bolster Springfield-area locations for a chicken tenders restaurant franchise are in motion, as two stores are under construction in the Queen City and Republic.

Local Huey Magoo’s franchisees James and Lisa Tillman said the Springfield location, at the corner of East Battlefield Road and South Fremont Avenue, is on schedule to be the first of the two to open next year. The 1382 E. Battlefield Road store is aiming for a late March or early April launch, James Tillman said. The husband and wife said the project is being developed through J and L Investments LLC.

“It’s a fantastic location,” he said of the new store that fronts the intersection which includes The Heritage, a five-story luxury apartment building that opened earlier this year.

The Tillmans are partnering with longtime friends Randy and Patricia Phelps on the Republic location, which will be near the intersection of Highway 60 and North Stone Falls Road. Tillman estimated a June opening in Republic, declining to disclose startup costs for the two projects.

Tillman said he is teaming as general contractor with Newberg-based TCI Construction LLC for the Springfield shop, while Randy Phelps, formerly with Federal Construction, is handling general contracting duties in Republic. Each store will be 2,650 square feet with plans to employ roughly 50 people, Tillman said.

Both projects also have different architects. Centerville, Massachusetts-based James D. Smith Architects is the architect for the Republic shop, while Ireland Architects Inc. is on board for the Springfield location.

The Tillmans brought the first Huey Magoo’s to Springfield – and the state – in April 2023, when the couple opened a store at 3352 E. Sunshine St., according to past Springfield Business Journal reporting. A second local Huey Magoo’s opened in Ozark at 5402 N. 23rd St. later that year.

The Florida-based company, which recently announced its 70th store systemwide, has a franchise fee of $35,000, with royalty fees of 5% and marketing fees of 2%, according to its website.

The Sunshine Street store opening was the first of five the couple said they planned for the area. Tillman said they are getting close to fulfilling that plan.

“We have one more lot already purchased in Nixa for our fifth location. It’s right beside the new OakStar Bank,” he said, estimating an early 2026 opening for the store.

OakStar Bank opened its Nixa branch in April at 605 W. Aven Ave., according to past reporting.