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Turn
at the Big Chicken
 Standing
at the northeast corner at the intersection
of US 41 (Cobb Parkway) and Roswell
Road at 1970 N. Cobb Parkway in
Marietta, Ga., the Big Chicken beckons
diners to a KFC restaurant. And
over the years, the structure has
gained renown with local folks who
used the Big Chicken as a landmark.
“Turn at the Big Chicken" is
still a common phrase used to give
directions in Marietta. In fact,
Marietta Square is just six blocks
west of it.
The
Big Chicken got its start in 1963.
S.R. "Tubby" Davis owned
a drive-in chicken and hamburger
restaurant on Hwy. 41, then the
main highway between Atlanta and
Chattanooga. Looking for something
to distinguish his property from
all of the other tourist traps built
along the highway, he came up with
the concept for a large sheet-metal
chicken to tower over the highway.
He found a Georgia Tech engineering
student to be the architect. At
seven stories, it was one of tallest
structures in Marietta at the time,
and the Big Chicken quickly became
a useful landmark. On the original
Big Chicken, the pupils in the eyes
rotated, and the beak would open
and close, but they eventually fell
into disrepair and were turned off.
When
the restaurant changed hands and
became a Kentucky Fried Chicken,
it was one of the highest dollar
volume locations for KFC prior to
the construction of Interstate 75.
In
1993, the Big Chicken was damaged
by high winds. Although it appeared
the damage was superficial, a structural
examination was performed, and it
was determined that the Big Chicken
was no longer structurally sound.
Although they considered demolishing
it, KFC recognized the PR value
of rebuilding the Big Chicken. Using
the original design, the Big Chicken
was rebuilt. The mechanical eyes
and beak were restored to operating
condition. The new Big Chicken was
dedicated with great fanfare in
1996.
Inside
the building is a gift shop with
all kinds of Big Chicken memorabilia,
as well as the usual KFC menu items.
To reach the Big Chicken,
take exit 263 off I-75 (South
120 Loop exit), go west for 1/2
mile on GA 120 to South Cobb Parkway.
Turn right on South Cobb; the Big
Chicken is on the right.
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