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The basics:

• Federal Donuts & Chicken will launch its first New Jersey location April 25.
• Grand-opening festivities include T-shirt and doughnut giveaways.
• Three more Garden State locations are in the works.

A Philadelphia-based fried chicken and doughnut concept is setting its sights on New Jersey.

Scheduled to open April 25 in Marlton, Federal Donuts & Chicken will celebrate its in-state debut by giving a limited-edition T-shirt to the first 100 customers who make a purchase. On April 26, the shop will hand out free Funfetti cake doughnuts with a purchase while supplies last.

It marks the first of four locations developed by franchisees Mark Heinz and Debbie Grady, according to Federal Donuts & Chicken. Stores are also planned to open soon in Princeton and Mount Laurel, a spokesperson told NJBIZ. The pair met through a mutual friend.

“We’re beyond excited to bring Federal Donuts & Chicken to Marlton and join this incredible community. From day one, we’ve been drawn to FD&C’s amazing food and welcoming spirit, and we can’t wait to share it with our new neighbors in South Jersey,” Heinz and Grady said.

Founded in 2011 by a team that includes James Beard Award-winning restauranteurs Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, Federal Donuts & Chicken strives to offer best-in-class, hand-crafted doughnuts; crispy fried chicken and coffee.

The brand’s spiced cake doughnuts come prepared “fancy” (glazed & topped in creative flavors), “classic” (old-fashioned milk glazes) or “hot fresh” (made-to-order and tossed in custom sugar & spice blends).

Its hand-battered, twice-fried chicken comes as tenders and wings with house-made dipping sauces or dry seasonings. There’s also fried chicken salads and fried chicken sandwiches. Coffee options include hot or iced.

Welcoming ‘crave-worthy flavors’

Since launching a franchising program last year, Federal Donuts & Chicken has grown to 10 locations in Pennsylvania and Nevada.

At Nuveen Real Estate-owned Marlton Square, Federal Donuts & Chicken joins a food lineup that includes Chopt, Playa Bowls, Poke Bros, Starbucks, Tacoria and Turning Point.

Anthony Palino, general manager of the Route 73 shopping center, shared, “Marlton Square is continually evolving to offer our visitors the best in retail and dining experiences. The addition of Federal Donuts & Chicken brings fresh, exciting energy to our community. Their crave-worthy flavors, along with their commitment to innovation and quality, mirror the values that make Marlton Square special, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome them.”

Federal Donuts & Chicken in Marlton will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Along with seating for 20 guests, the location will also offer pickup and delivery via the chain’s app.