Maryland Fried Chicken
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fast food |
| Founded | October 4, 1961 in Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Founder | Al Constantine |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy and dissolution |
| Headquarters | Macon , United States |
Area served | United States, Bahamas |
Key people | Al Constantine (President), J. R. Miller (Chairman) |
| Products | Fried chicken |
Maryland Fried Chicken refers to a collection of independently operated eateries and a former franchised fried chicken brand that originated in Orlando, Florida. Established by Al Constantine in 1961, the chain expanded to approximately 20 states across the United States and the Bahamas at its zenith, before ultimately declaring bankruptcy and ceasing operations in the late 1970s.
Nomenclature
The designation "Maryland Fried Chicken" was derived from the Glenn L. Martin Company’s manufacturing facility located in Orlando, which had transferred workers from its substantial Baltimore, Maryland plant. Employees hailing from Baltimore who worked at this site frequently dined at Constantine’s establishment, inspiring the use of "Maryland" in the brand name to appeal to this demographic. Although the name suggested a connection to traditional Chicken Maryland, Constantine’s recipe was distinct, and the chain itself was founded in Florida by an individual originally from Delaware.
Background and early history
Al Constantine, a second-generation Italian-American, initially managed "The Dinner Bell," a restaurant in Wilmington, Delaware, founded by his father. The family later moved to Orlando, Florida, where they opened Constantine's Restaurant, a diner operating 24 hours a day, in 1959. Motivated by the success of an early Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise within Florida, Al devised a fried chicken recipe incorporating 21 herbs and spices, prepared using peanut oil and cooked in a pressure fryer. After distributing free samples as a trial, "Maryland Fried Chicken" was introduced to the diner's menu and prominently advertised with signage.
The inaugural standalone Maryland Fried Chicken outlet opened on October 4, 1961, in Fern Park, Florida. This venture was a partnership between Al Constantine and W. H. Truesdell. The menu at this location was simplified compared to that of Constantine's Restaurant. Expansion followed through franchising arrangements.
First incorporation
On February 15, 1963, Maryland Fried Chicken was formally incorporated in Florida. Al Constantine took on the role of president; his brothers Richard and Angelo assumed the positions of treasurer and vice president respectively, while their parents served as directors. By October 1967, the chain had expanded to include 55 locations throughout Florida. Al Constantine actively sought to grow the business beyond state lines by conducting market feasibility analyses in Western Europe and pursuing potential franchisees in Georgia and Alabama.
Maryland Fried Chicken of America
In 1967, J. R. Miller, a businessman based in Georgia, proposed an investment of $100,000 to become the national franchising representative for Maryland Fried Chicken. This initiative resulted in the formation of Maryland Fried Chicken of America, Inc., a subsidiary under Miller’s First Macon Corporation dedicated to nationwide growth efforts. Meanwhile, Constantine’s Maryland Fried Chicken, Inc. maintained authority over operations within Florida. The new entity pledged to establish no fewer than 500 outlets across the country within five years.
By late 1967, franchises were operational in Georgia, Alabama, and Michigan. Over the subsequent two years, Maryland Fried Chicken of America set up its headquarters in Macon, Georgia—including establishing a franchise training school—and secured hundreds of franchise agreements spanning more than a dozen states. By 1969, Maryland Fried Chicken had emerged as the third-largest and fastest-expanding fried chicken take-out chain in the United States, demonstrating substantial commercial growth and market penetration.
Second Incorporation and Decline
Towards the end of 1969, Maryland Fried Chicken, Inc. (MFC, Inc.) based in Florida and Maryland Fried Chicken of America, Inc. from Georgia entered into merger discussions. At that point, MFC, Inc. was managing 67 outlets across Florida and Louisiana, whereas MFC of America operated 49 locations spread over several states. The merger would create a combined organization comprising 116 restaurants in 16 states, with an additional 134 franchises in the pipeline. First Macon Corp. contributed $1.3 million in exchange for a 40% ownership interest. The merger finalized on February 23, 1970, resulting in a Delaware-incorporated Maryland Fried Chicken, Inc., with its headquarters situated in Macon, Georgia. Al Constantine continued as president; members of his family assumed vice presidential positions, while J. R. Miller was appointed chairman.
Following the merger, Maryland Fried Chicken extended its franchise operations into new regions such as New England. By early 1971, the brand had expanded to encompass 160 units. Nonetheless, financial setbacks prompted Al Constantine to step down as president in 1971, accompanied by the closure of numerous outlets; by late 1972, the number of stores had decreased to 102. Alan Parker took over as president and indicated that the company had returned to profitability despite these difficulties. The recession during the early 1970s coupled with legal complications arising from unpaid loans eventually led the company to file for bankruptcy and dissolve by 1979.
Successor Businesses
Following the dissolution of MFC, the remaining franchise locations continued operating independently. Several successor enterprises emerged from this transition:
- The Shrimper Seafood & Maryland Fried Chicken combined two existing chains; their inaugural joint location opened in Florence, South Carolina in 1976. Presently, this chain maintains four outlets within South Carolina.
- Mr. C's Southern Fried Chicken was established by Al Constantine in 1979 at a former MFC site located in Sanford, Florida. Constantine’s objective was to preserve the original chicken recipe after departing from MFC. This business ceased operations following a fatal armed robbery in 1988.
- The Original Maryland Fried Chicken trademark was acquired by Edith Swain in 1997 after Al Constantine transferred his trademark rights to her in 1995. There are currently two stores operating under this brand name.
- Original Maryland Fried Chicken (OMFC) is a contemporary chain launched in Florida in 2005 by Bob Costantine with Al Constantine’s approval. Bob owns an OMFC restaurant situated in Apopka, Florida; his brothers Mike and Tony operate a franchise located in Leesburg. Although several OMFC locations existed at one time, only these two remain active today.