The Big Chicken

Admission: Free
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Duration: 15-30 minutes
Parking: Free parking is available in the restaurant's on-site lot.
Access: Wheelchair accessible entrance, dining area, restrooms, and parking.

A beloved 56-foot-tall steel chicken designed in 1963, this iconic landmark serves as a fully functioning KFC restaurant. Its moving beak and rolling eyes have guided locals navigating Cobb County for decades. It even has its own gift shop selling poultry-themed souvenirs.

Standing 56 feet tall over a busy intersection in Marietta, Georgia, the Big Chicken is one of the most iconic roadside landmarks in the American South. Originally built in 1956 for a restaurant called Johnny Reb's Chick, Chick, Chick, the steel-sided structure features a moving beak and rolling eyes. It was later integrated into a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise, which has embraced the quirky mascot ever since.

Visitors will find a fully functioning KFC restaurant underneath the massive bird, complete with a specialized gift shop selling Big Chicken themed merchandise. The structure underwent a massive $2 million restoration in 2017, modernizing its mechanical animations and interior. It remains a beloved local point of reference, often used by residents giving driving directions in the Atlanta metro area.

Ratings

roadside attraction

Historical Significance

4/5

Cultural Relevance

5/5

Fun Factor

3.5/5

Accessibility

4.5/5

Photo Worthiness

5/5

Interactivity

2/5

Kid Friendliness

4.5/5

Popularity

4.5/5

Free Admission ✓Food Available on Site ✓Kid Friendly ✓

Visitor Tips

◆ Take a moment to step inside the restaurant to view the historical photos and pick up unique souvenirs at the gift shop.
◆ Park in the designated spots away from the drive-thru lane to get the best angle for photographs of the moving eyes and beak.
◆ If you are asking locals for directions, expect them to use 'the Big Chicken' as a major navigational landmark.

Heads Up

◆ The intersection of Cobb Parkway and Roswell Road is extremely busy, so exercise caution when driving or walking around the exterior.

Common questions

Can you go inside the actual chicken structure at the Big Chicken?

No, visitors cannot go inside the upper metal chicken structure or head. Public access is limited to the KFC restaurant and gift shop located at its base.

Does the Big Chicken's beak and eyes still move?

Yes, the chicken's beak opens and closes and its eyes rotate continuously. The animatronic pieces are occasionally shut down temporarily for maintenance or high winds.

Does the Marietta Big Chicken have a gift shop?

Yes, there is a dedicated gift shop inside the restaurant that sells exclusive Big Chicken branded merchandise, apparel, and souvenirs.