Building plans were submitted to the city of Springdale for the new AQ Chicken House development following the 2023 closure of the city’s iconic original location at 1207 N. Thompson St., which was was later demolished and replaced with a Club Car Wash.
AQ’s revival was announced last October and is the work of the Lundstrum family’s Catalyst Capital investment group. The principal investors are Tom Lundstrum, Republican state Rep. Robin Lundstrum of Elm Springs, their daughter Gracie Lively and her husband Jacob Lively. The proposed site is about three miles west of its old location on land the Lundstrums own near the Walmart Supercenter on Elm Springs Road.
A news release from the restaurant says plans for the 13,041-square-foot building include an outdoor area for kids, outdoor covered dining, a dedicated area for takeout orders, unique “silo” dining rooms, a room for ice cream to be made in house and a “bright, updated design that honors the past while inviting new generations.” The restaurant, which is known for its crispy pan-fried chicken (sometimes served alongside spaghetti), will “feature a return to the original recipes that made AQ Chicken House famous.”
Speaking of fame, the Los Angeles Times reported on Bill Clinton’s 47th birthday celebration at the restaurant in 1993. According to the story, he was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by a crowd of about 125 people.
Tom Lundstrum said in the release that the ownership group is committed to preserving the restaurant’s legacy “while bringing into the future with thoughtful design and modern amenities.
“We want the new AQ Chicken House to be a community gathering space, a place where families can come together and create lasting memories,” he said.
Rep. Robin Lundstrum is currently serving her fifth term in District 18. She was the sponsor of the Save Adolescents From Experimentation Act, a state law that banned gender-affirming health care for transgender minors. The law was struck down by a federal judge in 2023, but the case is currently on appeal.
The release says that the city’s permitting process will address any questions regarding the restaurant’s design and proposed location. The target date for opening is 2025. AQ Chicken House opened in Springdale in 1947.