Let’s take a look back to The Big Chicken in 2010 – after the 1993 renovation but before the most recent overhaul in 2017. But before diving into the photos, here’s a bit of background to set the stage. In early January of 1993, a severe winter storm hit Marietta and the iconic Big Chicken. The storm tore off metal sheets from the Big Chicken and left the famous landmark with significant damage. Afterward, engineers found the structure to be in dire condition, leading to a January 15th, 1993 announcement that the Big Chicken would need to be demolished. This decision was met with strong opposition from the Marietta and Atlanta community.
Responding to the outcry, evidenced by nearly 10,000 calls and letters from locals, KFC decided that demolition wasn’t a viable option. On January 27, 1993, KFC’s Vice President Chuck Rawley announced the company’s commitment to invest up to $200,000 for a new landmark, ensuring the Big Chicken would “fly again.”
Reconstruction commenced swiftly, and during the reconstruction, pieces of the original Big Chicken structure were sold to collectors as souvenirs. The restaurant reopened in 1994, thus preserving the beloved landmark for future generations.
When the restaurant reopened, it featured a refreshed interior and exterior. Along with restoring the iconic bird, the update introduced some historic details about The Big Chicken and KFC. The renovation also added a small souvenir section, rounding out the revival with a nod to both nostalgia and novelty.
Over two decades after the 1993 renovation, The Big Chicken underwent a $2 million renovation again in 2017, updating the logo as well as the interior and exterior, adding a larger gift shop, including more historic details, and adding a voice to the beloved bird.
