Church’s Texas Chicken has returned to New Jersey.

The value-focused, quick-service chain began welcoming guests last month to its new restaurant at 1701 Mount Ephraim Ave. in Camden. It is now planning a June 18 grand-opening celebration.

Set to run 4-7 p.m., festivities will include:

• Chance to win free Church’s chicken for a year
• Live entertainment (DJ and face painting)
• Family-friendly activities for all ages

Additionally, children ages 12 and under will receive a free two-piece leg & thigh meal and a regular side with the purchase of any full-price adult combo meal all day, Church’s said.

At 5 p.m., a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place with local community leaders and partners. Church’s will also present a charitable donation to area nonprofit Camden Rescue Mission. 

Founded in 1952, Church’s specializes in fried chicken, chicken tenders, sandwiches, honey-butter biscuits and Southern-style side dishes. The Atlanta-headquartered chain has more than 1,500 restaurants globally.

Full circle

Although Church’s once had a presence in New Jersey that included outposts in North Bergen, Union Township and Lawnside, its footprint dwindled over the past two decades.

In Camden, the newly opened location was previously a Church’s owned and operated by a local franchisee. The site closed in 2014, the company said.

At one point, Nashville-headquartered fast-casual seafood restaurant Captain D’s planned to use the property for its New Jersey debut. A media representative for the brand did not immediately have information on the status of that franchise deal.

According to Church’s, the Mount Ephraim Avenue site reopened as a corporate-run location. It is open daily 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Construction is reportedly underway in Stratford to transform an empty Checkers into a drive-thru-focused Church’s, according to local blog 42 Freeway. 

Church’s return to New Jersey comes as the brand pursues an expansion strategy focused on hitting 900 additional locations by signing new franchise partnerships, re-entering select markets and targeting fresh regions.