CHEYENNE - After many months of rumors of what chicken restaurant might be replacing Church's, it's now confirmed! Owen's Hot Chicken is replacing the Cheyenne Church's Chicken!
A glance at the history
Z's Furnishings and others
Although all the specific details of the history of the building that preceded Church's Chicken aren't currently known at Optopolis, Cheyenne residents will likely remember the cream-colored building that once stood in the vicinity that Church's more recently occupied.
 View of the Western Furniture and Auction building, but seen in 2011 when it was occupied by Karousel Kids - Google Maps Street View |
The old building housed many businesses and services including All-Vac, Western Furniture & Auction, and Elite Auto Upholstery (according to the 1990 City Directory); Z's Home Furnishings; Karousel Kids; and even the Delta Kappa Gamma Annual Used Book Sale.
Church's Chicken
Church's Chicken opened their Cheyenne/Goalz LLC location on October 17th, 2019. Less than a year later in mid- to late 2020, this Church's location was abruptly and silently shuttered. Unlike the nearby Dog Haus, new owners didn't come in to reopen Church's Chicken, and the Cheyenne location was soon removed entirely from Church's website.
In mid- to late 2024, the building was finally and officially put on the market for lease; a sign advertising the property had even been placed along Ridge Road. It didn't take too long from that point for a new owner to get their hands on the old Church's building.
Owen's Hot Chicken coming soon
On a day in early December 2024, it was observed by Optopolis that two Tesla Cybertrucks were parked in Church's parking lot while someone was powerwashing metal shelving units. It was at around this same time that many Cheyenne residents began to wonder what was going on at the old Church's. Now in late May 2025, the Church's signage has been taken down, and some of it has been replaced with new signs!
After being tipped off, Optopolis has confirmed that the new establishment will be called Owen's Hot Chicken. Sign boards previously found inside of the building are being installed (as of time of writing), and they display the name, "Owen's Hot Chicken."
 One of two Owen's Hot Chicken signs, seen here, when previously stored inside of the old Church's building. - Optopolis |
There doesn't seem to be much information online at this point; however, the Wyoming Business website includes some interesting information. Yuesong W. is the registered agent and an organizer. Two other organizers are listed, however, Mingyang Z. and Duan Y., and these names seem to link to multiple other businesses in and around the City of Cheyenne, including but not limited to Hokkaido Ramen Group Inc and Wasabi Japanese Steakhouse Inc.
At this point in time, it's not currently clear to Optopolis when this new chicken restaurant will open or other details specific to this business. However, the rest of the Church's Chicken signage--more specifically, the self-standing sign panels--have been taken down and will also soon display the new Owen's Hot Chicken signage, as confirmed by permits in the Cheyenne City Planning website.
 View of newly-installed Owen's Hot Chicken sign on the front of the building, along with signless Church's Chicken sign - Optopolis |
As of May 29th, one of three planned Owen's Hot Chicken signs hadn't yet been installed on the building, and panels were still yet to be installed in the frame of the self-standing sign. If and when more information comes available to Optopolis, this article will likely be updated.
Update 08-26 - Owen's Hot Chicken appears to have an opening date
In a recent Facebook post in Cheyenne Community Connections, someone asked if Owen's had opened yet. A Facebook user by the name of Adrianna M. responded that they ran into a few plumbing issues; this matches observations made by Optopolis including a plumbing permit that, around the time, was posted in the door of Owen's Hot Chicken.
Fast-forward to today, August 26th, 2025, and the same user, Adrianna M. made a new post stating that the restaurant will open on Thursday, August 28th at 10 AM. The restaurant is still hiring for positions at the front counter and drive thru, and Adrianna told one individual that individuals interested in applying can visit Wasabi, located on Grandview Avenue (it's owned by the same people). ALTHOUGH! Interested individuals can also now visit on-site.
 Workers mow/weed-eat the lawn in front of Owen's in late August 2025 - Optopolis |
In the comments of her post, Adriana M. included images of the menu for Owen's. You can choose your heat including no spice, Lite Mild, Mild, Medium, Hot, Extra Hot, and Mouth-Burning. They will have sandwiches, tenders, whole-wings, and quarter birds available. Each of the meal options includes one side and a soda and may include other additional items such as sliced bread or pickles.
Sides listed include fries, Pimento mac & cheese, mashed potatoes and brown gravy, baked beans, sweet & tangy coleslaw (carrots, cabbage, and homemade dressing), and baked potato salad. You can also get additional sides of Owen's House sauce.
Beverages include soft drinks, water, milk, apple juice, and orange juice. Below the drinks section is an item called Nilla Wafer Pudding. Further down the list is hand-muddled lime tea and fruit-infused and mixed teas.
| View of Owen's Hot Chicken building and sign - Optopolis |
As of August 26th when Optopolis made a visit, it appeared that there was a private event going on inside of the up-and-coming chicken restaurant as numerous individuals were inside; meanwhile, the lawn in front of Owen's was in the process of being mowed and weed wacked.
Update 08-28 - NOW OPEN!
UPDATE 08-28: Owen's Hot Chicken indeed opened today, August 28th. Their hours are 10:30 AM to 9:30 PM every day [UPDATED 08-30]. They have drive-thru and dine-in service, and you can order online from their website as well. You can call them at (307) 263-4049, and the restaurant is located at 2815 Ridge Road, Cheyenne, Wyoming.
| TOP LEFT: Owen works on self-standing sign message before opening hour at the restaurant TOP RIGHT: Owen and other workers prepare customer's food BOTTOM LEFT: A customer inside finishes ordering food - Optopolis BOTTOM RIGHT: Printed menu inside the restaurant - Optopolis |
| LEFT: Mild spicy chicken tenders (tray on left) and no-spice chicken tenders (tray on right); each served with one side (Optopolis chose potato salad); each also served with bread, pickles, and sauce RIGHT: Soda, Rootbeer in this case - Optopolis |
You can choose from regular "set meals" including 1 Sandwich, 2 Tenders, 3 Whole Wings, or a Quarter Bird; or kids meals including 1 tender or 1 whole wing (each is served with 1 side and 1 soda). On the side, you can also order additional tenders, sandwiches, wings, or quarter birds. The Owen's sauce is a "sweet and tangy" sauce.
Now let us know...
What do you think of a new chicken restaurant opening on the east side of Cheyenne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Published: 05/30/2025 at 10:42 AM MT
Updated: 08/26/2025 at 8:30 PM MT to add newly discovered details about Owens Hot Chicken including opening date and a glance at the menu
Updated: 08/28/2025 at 12:03 PM MT to confirm that the restaurant opened, clean up minor typos, add additional imagery.
Updated: 08/30/2025 at 9:30 PM MT to correct store hours; initial store hours were 10 AM to 10 PM, but hours are changing slightly.