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{{Short description|American fried chicken restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Pioneer Chicken Take Out Corporation
| trade_name = Pioneer Chicken
| foundation = {{start date and age|1961}}
| defunct = <!-- How is it defunct if three stores are still open?? Now only two as of 2017. It's defunct because the current franchisees cannot upgrade equipment or remodel or anything. That's why they're both cash only. --> <small>Open in Los Angeles at 904 S. Soto Street, Los Angeles CA 90023 and in Bell Gardens at 6323 E. Florence Avenue, Bell Gardens, CA 90201</small>
| area_served = {{unbulleted list|
| location = [[Los Angeles County, California]], U.S.▼
* [[Category:Bell Gardens, California]]▼
| industry = [[Restaurant]]▼
▲ | location =* [[Los Angeles County, California]], U.S.
| products = [[Fried chicken]]▼
}}
▲ | industry = [[Restaurant]]
 
▲ | products = [[Fried chicken]]
'''Pioneer Chicken''' (or '''Pioneer Take Out''', as it is officially named) is an American [[fried chicken]] restaurant chain which was founded in [[Echo Park, Los Angeles]]<ref name=lat-2009mar24>{{cite news |title=Pioneer Chicken kicks the bucket |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/03/closings-and-op.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2009-03-24 |first=Jessica |last=Gelt}}</ref> in 1961 by H.R. Kaufman. When Kaufman sold the chain in 1987, there were 270 restaurants operated by 220 franchisees.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Takeover That Ended a Friendship: Pioneer Take-Out Founder, Purchaser at Odds Over Terms |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1988-01-19/business/fi-37127_1_pioneer-headquarters |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1988-01-19 |first1=Jesus |last1=Sanchez |first2=Nancy |last2=Yoshihara |name-list-style=amp}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pioneer Chicken Tries to Emerge From Its Second Bankruptcy |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-09/business/fi-370_1_pioneer-chicken |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1991-04-09 |first=John |last=Medearis}}</ref>▼
| website = https://pioneerchickenla.com
 
}}
During the 1970s, several locations operated in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, [[Hawaii]]. As of 2021, there are only two locations remaining, one in the [[Boyle Heights, Los Angeles|Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles]] and the other in [[Bell Gardens, California]], both unrelated former franchises.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}
▲The '''Pioneer Chicken Take Out Corporation''', (or[[doing business as]] '''Pioneer Take OutChicken''', as it is officially named) is an American [[fried chicken]] restaurant chain which was founded in [[Echo Park, Los Angeles]]<ref name=lat-2009mar24>{{cite news |title=Pioneer Chicken kicks the bucket |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2009/03/closings-and-op.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2009-03-24 |first=Jessica |last=Gelt}}</ref> in 1961 by H. R. Kaufman. During the 1970s, several locations operated in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, [[Hawaii]]. When Kaufman sold the chain in 1987, there were 270 restaurants operated by 220 franchisees.<ref>{{cite news |title=A Takeover That Ended a Friendship: Pioneer Take-Out Founder, Purchaser at Odds Over Terms |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-19/business/-fi-37127_1_pioneer37127-headquartersstory.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1988-01-19 |first1=Jesus |last1=Sanchez |first2=Nancy |last2=Yoshihara |name-list-style=amp}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Pioneer Chicken Tries to Emerge From Its Second Bankruptcy |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-09/business/-fi-370_1_pioneer370-chickenstory.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1991-04-09 |first=John |last=Medearis}}</ref> In 1993, Pioneer Chicken was taken over by AFC Enterprises, the parent company of [[Popeyes]]. Almost all Pioneer Chicken locations were then converted to Popeyes.<ref name=lat-1993jun10/> The franchisees of two locations resisted the change, retaining the Pioneer Chicken branding: [[Los Angeles]] and [[Bell Gardens, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jonh |first=Adam |title=Pioneer Chicken The Best fried chicken near me |url=https://pioneerchicken.org/ |website=Pioneer Chicken}}</ref>
 
==Origins==
It was named after Pioneer Market, a now-defunct small chain of supermarkets in Los Angeles. The original location in Echo Park was located next to the 1980s-era Pioneer Market (the original 1932 market was razed in the 1980s due to the [[1971 San Fernando earthquake|Sylmar earthquake]]) at Echo Park Avenue and [[Sunset Boulevard]], which was replaced by a [[Walgreens]] Pharmacy in 2004.<ref name=lat-2004aug01>{{cite news |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2004archives/la-xpm-2004-aug/-01/local/-me-pioneer1-story.html |title=Lox, Stock and Pickle Barrel Go as Old Market Closes |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 1, 2004 |first=Nita |last=Lelyveld}}</ref> Due to considerable redevelopment activity in the neighborhood, the original Pioneer Chicken location was shut down in March 2009<ref name=lat-2009mar24 /> and replaced by a Little Caesar's Pizza the following year.<ref name=lat-2010mar16>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dailydish/2010/03/crazy-bread-pioneer-chicken-in-echo-park-to-become-a-little-caesars-pizza-.html |title=Crazy bread! Pioneer Chicken in Echo Park to become a Little Caesars pizza |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2010-03-16 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref> During the 1980s, [[Los Angeles Lakers]] announcer [[Chick Hearn]] and former football player [[O. J. Simpson]] advertised for the restaurant.
 
[[File:Pioneer Chicken Meal.jpg|260px|thumb|right|A common meal from the chain.]]
Pioneer Chicken wasis remembered for its bright orange deep fried chicken, menu option of gizzards and livers as appetizers, and Pioneer Pete,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lamag.com/askchris/pioneer-pete-rides-off-into-the-sunset/|title=Pioneer Pete Rides Off Into The Sunset - Los Angeles Magazine|date=2011-06-23|work=Los Angeles Magazine|access-date=2018-04-12|language=en-US}}</ref> the company mascot and main characterprotagonist in comic books that were provided with their kid's meals.
 
==Bankruptcy==
In 1988 founder H. R. Kaufman and business associate Terrence P. Goggin filed for Chapter 11 in Federal Bankruptcy Court. At that point, Pioneer Chicken had 220 franchise owners and 270 stores. The company faltered under competition pressure from Kentucky Fried Chicken.<ref >{{Cite news|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-19/business/-fi-37127_1_pioneer37127-headquartersstory.html|title=A Takeover That Ended a Friendship : Pioneer Take-Out Founder, Purchaser at Odds Over Terms|lastlast1=SANCHEZ|firstfirst1=JESUS|date=1988-01-19|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2018-04-12|last2=YOSHIHARA|first2=NANCY|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>
 
==AFC Enterprises acquisition==
In 1993, [[Popeyes Chicken & Biscuits]] owner [[AFC Enterprises]] purchased the franchise and converted most locations to Popeyes.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=June 9, 1993 |title= Pioneer Chicken joins Popeyes chain |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/06/09/Pioneer-Chicken-joins-Popeyes-chain/7264739598400 |publisher=[[United Press International]] |work=[[United Press International]] |location=Los Angeles |access-date=December 10, 2022}}</ref><ref name=lat-1993jun10>{{cite news |title=Pioneer Chicken Switches to Popeyes |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-06-10/business/-fi-1785_1_pioneer1785-chickenstory.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=1993-06-10 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref>
 
==Locations==
[[File:Pioneer Chicken.jpg|260px|thumb|left|One of the last two operating locations of the chain.]]
There are two remaining locations in the Los Angeles area: 1) 904 S.South Soto Street, Los Angeles; 2) 6323 E.East Florence Avenue, Bell Gardens.
 
===In Indonesia===
In 1983, three Indonesian alumni from the [[University of Southern California]] decided to open a Pioneer Chicken franchise in [[Jakarta]] under the name [[California Fried Chicken]].<ref name=adweek-1985may20>{{cite news |title=Countries To Go |magazine=[[Adweek]] |date=1985-05-20 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}} [http://www.lexisnexis.com/lnacui2api/api/version1/getDocCui?lni=3SJB-1B90-0018-9554&csi=7907&hl=t&hv=t&hnsd=f&hns=t&hgn=t&oc=00240&perma=true Link] via [[LexisNexis]].</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfcindonesia.com/Pioneerindo/profilpioneerindo.htm |title=Profil Perusahaan |website=PT Pioneerindo Gourmet International Tbk |trans-title=Company Profile |language=id |date=<!--undated--> |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |access-date=2013-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515014004/http://www.cfcindonesia.com/Pioneerindo/profilpioneerindo.htm |archive-date=2015-05-15 |url-status=dead }} [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=id&u=http://www.cfcindonesia.com/Pioneerindo/profilpioneerindo.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3DPT%2BPutra%2BSejahtera%2BPioneerindo%26biw%3D829%26bih%3D479&sa=X&ei=ZBRqUcysEMHD0QGn8oHYAw&ved=0CDQQ7gEwAA (English translation of webpage)] via [[Google Translate]].</ref>
 
As of 2013, the parent company of the stores in Indonesia, [[:id:Pioneerindo Gourmet International|Pioneerindo Gourmet International]] (formerly PT Putra Sejahtera Pioneerindo), have over 200 CFC restaurants throughout that nation.<ref name=it-2013mar23>{{cite news |url=http://www.theindonesiatoday.com/indonesia/indonesianews/news/industries-news/item/3854-california-fried-chicken-grows-21.html |title=California Fried Chicken Grows 21% |website=[[Indonesia Today]] |date=2013-03-23 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806021627/http://www.theindonesiatoday.com/indonesia/indonesianews/news/industries-news/item/3854-california-fried-chicken-grows-21.html |archive-date=2014-08-06 }}</ref> CFC had a few franchises in Shanghai during the 1990s, but they may not currently exist.<ref name=wsj-1997dec02>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB881017696435116000 |title=KFC Rules Shanghai's Fast-Food Roost With Ads, Training and Giveaways |newspaper=[[Wall Street Journal]] |date=1997-12-02 |first=Kathy |last=Chen}}</ref>
 
==Media==
{{In popular culture|date=July 2018}}
[[Warren Zevon]]'s song [[Carmelita (song)|"Carmelita"]] refers to Pioneer Chicken: "I pawned my Smith Corona/And I went to meet my man / He hangs out down on Alvarado Street/By the Pioneer chicken stand". In [[The Aquabats]]{{'}} 1997 song "Magic Chicken!", the singer invites the listener to "Do the Pioneer!" during a [[funk]] breakdown where various chicken restaurant franchises are named.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}
The opening of the film ''[[The Last American Virgin]]'' shows a Pioneer Chicken location at the northeast corner of Hollywood & Western in the background as the protagonist Gary ([[Lawrence Monoson]]), drives off making a pizza delivery. The same location is shown in one scene in ''[[Death Wish II]]'' and towards the end of the [[music video]] for [[DeBarge]]'s "[[Rhythm of the Night (song)|Rhythm Of The Night]]"
 
A Pioneer Chicken location is briefly shown in the background in the 1982 film ''[[Fast Times at Ridgemont High]]'' during the restaurant scene involving the dissatisfied customer. The site was located on San Vicente Boulevard in Brentwood, Los Angeles.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} The Silverlake location can be seen in the background of ''[[The Hollywood Strangler Meets the Skid Row Slasher]]''.
 
A Pioneer Chicken outlet is shown at the beginning of ''[[Armed and Dangerous (1986 film)|Armed And Dangerous]]'' when one of the film's protagonists, Frank Dooley ([[John Candy]]) is on patrol just before he is framed.
 
In the first season opening montage of the television series ''[[Full House]]'', a jumbo pack box of chicken is shown next to baby Michelle with the slogan "Home of the Golden Pioneer Chicken" on the side. This montage is also seen in the first episode of the reboot [[Fuller House (TV series)|''Fuller House'']].
 
The pilot episode of ''[[The White Shadow (TV series)|The White Shadow]]'' shows Pioneer Chicken in the last 15 minutes of the episode as the team travels down the boulevard.
 
Pioneer Chicken was also seen in the "Brat Patrol" episode of the TV series ''[[CHiPs]]''.
 
In the [[Hughes Brothers]] documentary ''[[American Pimp]]'' the Pioneer Chicken 904 S. Soto Street is featured as described by Rosebudd, one of the pimps interviewed.
 
In [[Straight Time]], the character Max Dembo ([[Dustin Hoffman]]) is shown at a Pioneer Chicken stand counting his money after having robbed a grocery store.
 
In [[Hot Moves]], Michael ([[Adam Silbar]]) and his three high school buddies drive past a Pioneer Chicken in Venice Beach, CA while looking to pick up a prostitute for Joey ([[Jeff Fishman]]).
 
==See also==
* [[List of fast-food chicken restaurants]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn5Wt7S1dzE Pioneer Chicken Commercials]
 
==Further reading==
* {{cite web | title=Pioneer Chicken in Bankruptcy; Most Stores to Remain Open | work=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=January 27, 1991 | url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-27/news/-mn-433_1_pioneer433-chicken-in-bankruptcystory.html | access-date=March 22, 2015}}
* [http://www.lamag.com/askchris/vintage-pioneer-chicken-sign-heading-to-museum/ Vintage Pioneer Chicken Sign Heading to Museum] Los Angeles Magazine March 2, 2016
 
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}
 
{{Fast-food chains of the United States}}
{{chicken chains}}
{{coord missing|Los Angeles County, California}}
 
 
[[Category:1961 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Bell Gardens, California]]
[[Category:Chicken chains of the United States]]▼
[[Category:FastDefunct fast-food chains ofin the United States]]▼
[[Category:Companies that have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988]]▼
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Fast-food poultry restaurants]]
▲[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Restaurants in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:History of Los Angeles]]
▲[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1988]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1961]]
[[Category:1961 establishmentsRestaurants in CaliforniaLos Angeles]]
▲[[Category:Bell Gardens, California]]
▲[[Category:Chicken chains of the United States]]
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