Ezell's CEO outlines plans for nationwide expansion as he eyes exit
Ezell's Famous Chicken CEO and co-founder Lewis Rudd has gone from "semi-retired" to "quarter-retired" in the past few years. Now, he's ready to get out entirely.
"I hope to see myself out of the business, pass the baton to where I can be free to roam the country," Rudd told the Business Journal.
He founded Ezell's with his sister, Faye, and brother, Darnell, as well as Ezell Stephens (who is no longer affiliated with the restaurant chain) and Samuel Stephens. The group opened its first location in 1984 in Seattle's Central District. It's since grown to 16 locations across the state, along with one in Oregon.
Rudd, who is in his early 70s, was close to finding the right business partner around 2020, but the pandemic put many restaurants in a precarious situation, making it difficult to find the right deal.
https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/27/ezells-famous-chicken-lewis-rudd-ceo-retire.html