The History and Success of YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken

YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken is a popular chicken restaurant chain known for its healthy flame broiled chicken and signature sides and salads. With locations across Michigan and Florida, YaYa’s has developed a cult following over its 50+ years in business. In this article, we’ll explore the origins and evolution of the YaYa’s brand, their signature broiling cooking method, menu items, and the secrets behind their enduring success.

The Origins of YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken

YaYa’s was founded in Flint Michigan in 1965 by the grandfather of current owner George Terezis. George’s grandfather immigrated from Greece to Michigan in the early 1900s and brought his recipes for broiled chicken seasoned with Mediterranean herbs and spices. The cooking method of broiling chicken over an open flame allowed the chicken to cook quickly while sealing in juices and flavor without the need for battering or frying in grease.

In 1965 George’s grandfather opened the first YaYa’s restaurant in Flint MI focused on serving high-quality broiled chicken dinners made from fresh, never frozen chicken. The restaurant was named “YaYa” after the Greek word for grandfather as a nod to the founder. From the beginning, YaYa’s chicken dinners proved popular for their juicy and tender chicken with Mediterranean inspired seasoning you couldn’t find elsewhere.

Evolution of the YaYa’s Brand and Menu

Over the years, YaYa’s has expanded from a single Flint location to 9 locations across Michigan and Florida. While still family-owned, the company has grown significantly while remaining true to its heritage and original broiling cooking method.

In the 1980s George Terezis joined the family business bringing new ideas to expand the menu. He created YaYa’s signature chicken sandwiches which quickly became customer favorites. YaYa’s also added fresh made-to-order salads including their Greek chicken salad topped with feta and olives.

While the signature chicken dinners and sandwiches remain at the core of the menu, YaYa’s has continued adding complementary items like chicken noodle soup, wings, wraps, family packs and catering options. However, the company sticks to its roots using lean, hormone-free chicken and natural ingredients to deliver on their slogan “Discover the Great Taste of YaYa’s”.

YaYa’s Signature Broiling Method

The secret behind YaYa’s delicious chicken is the simple but effective broiling cooking technique. Chicken is marinated in a proprietary blend of Mediterranean seasonings then cooked over an open flame broiler. The high heat quickly sears the outside sealing in moisture while infusing the chicken with smoky charbroiled flavor.

Broiling gives YaYa’s chicken some key advantages compared to fried chicken or other cooking methods:

• Lower fat and calories: Chicken is not battered or fried resulting in a healthier option with less fat and calories. Skinless chicken breast has just 140 calories and 1.5g of fat per serving.

• Fresher taste: YaYa’s uses fresh, never frozen chicken rather than frozen chicken like many fried chicken chains. This results in a juicier texture and fresher taste.

• Caramelized exterior: The high heat chars and caramelizes the outside of the chicken creating tasty crispy bits that enhance flavor.

The open flame broiling technique remains unchanged since the first restaurant opened in 1965 and is a key part of maintaining YaYa’s signature taste.

Why YaYa’s Stands the Test of Time

Many restaurants fail within the first few years, so YaYa’s 50+ year run and continued popularity is impressive. Here are some of the factors that explain the enduring success of the YaYa’s brand:

• Never compromising on quality: YaYa’s only uses fresh, hormone-free chicken and real ingredients to deliver the best possible flavor. Many customers say the chicken tastes as delicious as the first time they tried it.

• Signature cooking method: The flame broiling technique is difficult for competitors to replicate and ensures consistent results. Customers know what to expect when they visit any YaYa’s location.

• Family-owned business: As a family-owned company, YaYa’s has passed its commitment to quality through each generation of ownership. The family cares deeply about maintaining their reputation.

• Customer-focused approach: YaYa’s incorporates customer feedback into improving recipes and offerings rather than making choices solely based on cost savings. They adapt to changing tastes while sticking to their culinary heritage.

• Consistency across locations: YaYa’s focuses on delivering a consistent experience whether you visit their Flint, MI flagship or a newer Florida location. This builds familiarity and loyalty wherever customers see a YaYa’s.

The YaYa’s story proves that a company doesn’t need to compromise quality and standards to achieve longevity and success in the restaurant industry. By staying true to their roots while innovating, YaYa’s has earned its place as a beloved chicken chain with multi-generational appeal.

YaYa’s Menu Offerings

While YaYa’s menu has expanded over the decades, their broiled chicken remains the star attraction. Here is an overview of YaYa’s main menu categories:

Broiled Chicken Dinners

• Chicken Dinner: The classic choice – a quarter chicken (leg and thigh) served with two sides, pita bread and honey butter.

• All White Meat Dinner: For those who prefer breast meat, the all-white dinner includes two chicken breasts.

• Chicken Only: Get just the broiled chicken a la carte either as a quarter chicken or all white meat.

Chicken Sandwiches

• Regular Chicken Sandwich: Chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo on a bun.

• Chicken Gyro: Chicken layered with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce in a warm pita.

• Buffalo Chicken Sandwich: Chicken breast coated in spicy buffalo sauce and served on a bun with blue cheese dressing.

Salads

• Chicken Caesar Salad: Romaine lettuce, shredded parmesan, croutons and sliced chicken breast, tossed in Caesar dressing.

• Greek Chicken Salad: Mixed greens topped with chicken, feta, tomatoes, onions, olives and Greek dressing.

• Chicken Cranberry Pecan Salad: Chicken, dried cranberries, pecans and feta cheese over mixed greens with a sweet cider dressing.

Sides

Choose from traditional pairings like mashed potatoes, steamed veggies and rice pilaf or Greek-inspired sides like orzo pasta salad and pita chips.

Soup, Wings and More

Customers also love YaYa’s chicken noodle soup, jumbo wings, wraps and family pack deals tailored for larger groups or taking food to go.

Why Customers Love YaYa’s

YaYa’s has earned a 4 out of 5 star overall rating averaged across 150+ online reviews. Here are some of the most common compliments from YaYa’s loyal customers:

• “The chicken is amazingly juicy and flavorful. So much better than typical fried chicken!”

• “You can tell the chicken is fresh and high-quality. Nice alternative to heavy battered fried chicken.”

• “The signature Greek dressing on salads is addictive. I always crave it.”

• “This is my family’s go-to place anytime we are craving chicken. Consistently delicious.”

• “The service is fast and friendly. The servers are welcoming and check on you.”

• “YaYa’s caters events with large portions and great prices. Perfect for feeding a crowd.”

While any long-running restaurant has a few critical reviews, the overwhelming majority of customers consider YaYa’s a go-to choice for broiled chicken done right. Many call it their favorite chicken place around.

The Future of YaYa’s

As YaYa’s approaches its 60th anniversary, the company remains committed to steady growth without franchising or cutting corners. They plan to continue expanding to new regions using company-owned stores rather than franchises to control quality.

Menu innovation also continues, with recent additions like chicken quesadillas and avocado lime salads. However, the core broiled chicken offering and family recipes will always take center stage. YaYa’s proves following tradition while innovating is the recipe for success.

For over 50 years, YaYa’s Flame Broiled Chicken has maintained a loyal following thanks to their perfectly broiled chicken, Greek-inspired flavors, and adherence to quality. Their signature open-flame cooking technique results in chicken that is juicy, tender and full of flavor. Alongside their famous chicken, sides like Greek salads and customer service keep fans coming back again and again. As a family-owned business, YaYa’s has nurtured its brand and recipes through each generation, finding the right balance between tradition and innovation. The company’s steady growth shows no signs of slowing down. For delicious and healthy broiled chicken, YaYa’s is a can’t-miss choice.