San Antonio, October 16, 2025
News Summary
Urban Bird Hot Chicken has officially opened its first restaurant in San Antonio, located in the Stone Oak area. The fast-casual dining establishment, known for its Nashville-style hot chicken, offers various spice levels and a menu featuring tenders, sandwiches, and loaded fries. Co-founders Brandon and Chantel Gawthorp aim to capitalize on the growing demand for hot chicken offerings in Texas. Along with this new opening, San Antonio has seen recent business closures highlighting the dynamic nature of the local market.
San Antonio is welcoming a new culinary addition as Urban Bird Hot Chicken opened its first restaurant in the city on September 4, 2025. This new establishment is located just off Highway 281 at 22106 U.S. 281 N #102 in the Stone Oak area. Known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and fast-casual dining, Urban Bird first established its roots in Katy, Texas, in 2020.
The Stone Oak location was part of a planned expansion announced in July 2024, which included a third location for the chain at 17603 La Cantera Pkwy #119. Although the Stone Oak launch faced some delays, it has ultimately launched successfully, adding to the chain’s growing presence in Texas, which now includes 14 locations statewide.
Urban Bird offers a range of spice levels for its chicken, catering to various taste preferences from the mild “country” option to the extremely spicy “fire in the hole.” The menu features a diverse selection of items, including breaded tenders served in sandwiches with kale slaw, sweet cream waffles, and loaded fries topped with ingredients such as street corn and barbecue chicken. Notably, all meats used at Urban Bird are Halal butchered and sourced from animals raised without hormones or antibiotics, reflecting a commitment to quality and consumer health.
The founders of Urban Bird, Brandon and Chantel Gawthorp, previously operated Wingstop franchises and aim to build a long-term, successful brand for their franchisees while capitalizing on the growing consumer demand for hot chicken offerings. Prior to this opening, the closest Urban Bird location to San Antonio was in San Marcos. Early reviews highlight the chain’s ability to deliver comfort food with a fiery twist along with the use of fresh ingredients.
In contrast to Urban Bird’s expansion, the San Antonio area has also seen recent closures of other businesses. On October 12, 2025, the Utah-based coffee chain Beans & Brews shuttered its San Antonio location at 9139 Grissom Rd., less than seven months after its opening. Beans & Brews entered the San Antonio market in January 2024 and operated three locations in the city before the closure, focusing on providing a customer experience similar to Starbucks.
Furthermore, Künstler Brewing announced the closure of its Tap Haus offshoot in downtown San Antonio, set to close on October 18, 2025, due to construction challenges affecting access. The original Künstler Brewing, which has been operating since 2017, will continue to function as owners redirect their focus back to improving that primary location.
The local market in San Antonio remains dynamic, reflecting a mix of new openings and closures that indicate the complexities of consumer trends and business viability within the city.
FAQ
When did Urban Bird Hot Chicken open in San Antonio?
Urban Bird Hot Chicken opened its first San Antonio restaurant on September 4, 2025.
Where is Urban Bird located in San Antonio?
The restaurant is located just off Highway 281 at 22106 U.S. 281 N #102 in the Stone Oak area.
What type of food does Urban Bird serve?
Urban Bird is known for Nashville-style hot chicken and fast-casual dining, offering a variety of spice levels, breads, sandwiches, and loaded fries.
Are the meats used at Urban Bird Halal?
Yes, Urban Bird uses Halal butchered meats sourced from animals raised without hormones or antibiotics.
What recent business closures have occurred in San Antonio?
Beans & Brews closed its San Antonio location at 9139 Grissom Rd. on October 12, 2025, and Künstler Brewing is closing its Tap Haus offshoot on October 18, 2025.
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | 22106 U.S. 281 N #102, San Antonio, TX |
| Opening Date | September 4, 2025 |
| Cuisine | Nashville-style hot chicken and fast-casual dining |
| Meat Sourcing | Halal butchered meats without hormones or antibiotics |
| Planned Locations | Additional third location at 17603 La Cantera Pkwy #119 |
| Date/Time | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| September 4, 2025 | Urban Bird Hot Chicken opens in San Antonio | Opened Successfully |
| October 12, 2025 | Beans & Brews closes San Antonio location | Closed |
| October 18, 2025 | Künstler Brewing’s Tap Haus to close | Closing |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Community Impact: North San Antonio – Urban Bird Opens
- Wikipedia: Urban Bird Hot Chicken
- What Now San Antonio: Urban Bird New Location
- Google Search: Urban Bird Hot Chicken
- Culture Map San Antonio: Urban Bird Stone Oak
- Google Scholar: Urban Bird Hot Chicken
- Restaurant News: Urban Bird Pearland Grand Opening
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Bird Hot Chicken
- What Now San Antonio: Urban Bird Expanding
- Google News: Urban Bird Hot Chicken
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
