Atlanta wing institution J.R. Crickets plans first Colorado restaurant in Fort Collins, city permits show

A Georgia-born brand heads west

J.R. Crickets, the Atlanta-area restaurant known for buffalo-style chicken wings and its “lemon pepper wet” variation, is preparing to open its first location in Colorado, marking a notable expansion for a brand closely tied to Atlanta’s dining identity.

The planned restaurant is under construction in Fort Collins, Colorado, at 1015 S. Taft Hill Road, Unit B. Public permitting records indicate renovations are underway to convert an existing restaurant space in a neighborhood shopping center into a J.R. Crickets, including kitchen and dining-room changes and installation of new commercial equipment.

What the Fort Collins buildout indicates

Project descriptions tied to the permitting process outline typical “tenant finish” work associated with a full-service restaurant launch, including updates to lighting, ventilation, and cooking infrastructure. While construction activity signals forward movement, an opening date has not been publicly announced and the timeline will likely depend on inspections and completion of buildout milestones.

From Midtown Atlanta origins to a multi-market footprint

The original J.R. Crickets opened on Spring Street in Midtown Atlanta in February 1982. The company describes itself as “The Atlanta Buffalo Wing Tradition,” and it has remained anchored in the metro Atlanta area even as additional locations have been added over time.

Company materials also describe a licensing program—distinct from traditional franchising—used to grow the brand through operators who open and run restaurants under the J.R. Crickets name.

Menu identity and why Colorado matters

J.R. Crickets built its reputation primarily on chicken wings with proprietary seasonings and sauces, including a lemon-forward pepper seasoning and variations that blend heat and sweetness. The broader menu typically includes items such as cheesesteak-style sandwiches, ribs, burgers, seafood, and other casual-dining staples.

Colorado entry is significant because it places an Atlanta legacy brand into a competitive Front Range restaurant market where local and regional wing concepts already operate. Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University, is a high-traffic dining corridor where new restaurant launches can benefit from student and event-driven demand as well as established neighborhood foot traffic.

Key confirmed facts

• J.R. Crickets’ first Colorado location is under construction in Fort Collins at 1015 S. Taft Hill Road, Unit B.
• Permits describe a renovation of an existing restaurant space, including kitchen and dining-area alterations and new commercial equipment.
• The brand’s original location opened in Midtown Atlanta in February 1982.
• No official opening date for the Fort Collins restaurant has been publicly announced.

The restaurant’s arrival will test whether a distinctly Atlanta wing style can translate to a new regional audience while maintaining the menu consistency customers associate with the brand.