The chain traces its origins to 1949, when John and Belva Brown opened a restaurant in Bridgeview, Illinois.

In the 1990s, a traditional grill named "The Chicago Way" was added to all Brown's restaurants.

On January 8, 1993, the Brown's Chicken massacre occurred at a Palatine, Illinois, branch.

Seven people were killed, including both owners and five employees, all of whom were found bound in the walk-in freezer.

[2] The massacre had an adverse effect on the entire Brown's Chicken chain.