Starbird, the rapidly growing restaurant concept redefining fast food with its perfectly crispy chicken and guest-forward experience, is opening its second Colorado location in Castle Rock at 6360 Promenade Parkway. Following its successful Colorado debut in Denver, this new location marks the next step in Starbird’s national expansion, building on 19 popular locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles.
The Castle Rock community can expect the same craveable, crispy chicken salads, sandwiches, tenders, sides and more that have made Starbird a must-visit destination in Colorado. Starbird will also give back to local schools, donating 10% of opening week sales to student programs at Castle View High School and Douglas County High School.
At its new 2,500-square-foot Castle Rock location, constructed by Fine Construction Inc., guests can enjoy a seamless ordering process via three in-store kiosks with full-photo menus and detailed item descriptions. Mobile-first loyalty perks, dedicated pickup shelves, and streamlined delivery systems ensure convenience at every touchpoint.
Daniel Wagner, CEO of Whiplash Holdings, played a key role in bringing Starbird to Colorado and expanding the brand’s presence in the state. His hospitality company develops and operates restaurant concepts and is always looking for bold ideas to introduce to local communities. With experience as a former director of operations at Denver-area restaurants, Wagner first tried Starbird in San Francisco and immediately recognized its potential, not just as a dining experience, but as a way to engage and support local communities.
“Castle Rock is a town with a strong sense of community, and that’s exactly what we want to celebrate with Starbird,” Wagner said. “After seeing the excitement and support for Starbird in Denver, we know people here will love our perfectly crispy chicken and flavorful sandwiches and salads. Our goal is to create a gathering place where neighbors can connect, students and local organizations can participate in events and the community benefits from programs like Gift a Meal, which helps provide meals to local food banks, including Food Bank of the Rockies and other partnerships. We’re excited to bring Starbird’s bold, chef-driven chicken to Castle Rock while giving back in meaningful ways to the people who live here.”
At the heart of Starbird’s menu is fresh, never-frozen, “no antibiotics ever” chicken, hand-breaded in small batches with a signature gluten-friendly spice blend for maximum crispiness. This approach has already resonated locally, with more than 40,000 pounds of chicken sold at the Denver location since opening.
Aaron Noveshen, a classically trained fine dining chef and restaurant entrepreneur, and his restaurant innovation agency The Culinary Edge, known for shaping brands like First Watch and Dunkin’, founded Starbird in the Bay Area in 2016 to reimagine what fast food could be. That vision, rooted in Noveshen’s passion for culinary excellence and tech-enabled convenience, quickly resonated with guests across California. Building on that foundation, Starbird has continued to gain momentum in new markets, including a strong debut in Denver, paving the way for continued growth across the region, including Castle Rock.
“Denver offers the perfect blend of culinary curiosity, innovation and deep community roots,” Noveshen said. “Following the incredible response we’ve seen there, we’re excited to continue growing in Colorado and become part of the Castle Rock community. At Starbird, our commitment to quality ingredients and house-made menu items is central to who we are, from using elevated, bold flavors to constantly innovate and explore new culinary frontiers. We look forward to bringing our bold, approachable take on chicken to Castle Rock and creating a place the community can gather and enjoy.”
To celebrate the grand opening of Starbird Chicken Castle Rock on Monday, April 27, Starbird will host a community party from 5–9 p.m., open to the public and kicking off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. All attendees will receive a free entrée (valued at $15) and a beverage during the event. Guests can enjoy a live DJ, temporary tattoos, balloon animals and free swag (while supplies lasts).
