AQ Fayetteville closing this week

The AQ Chicken House and AQ Xpress in Fayetteville, seen Wednesday will close within the week according to the longtime restaurant’s ownership.
The AQ Chicken House and AQ Xpress in Fayetteville, seen Wednesday will close within the week according to the longtime restaurant’s ownership.

Lower sales and increased competition are prompting Dick Bradley to close his Fayetteville AQ Chicken House later this week.

"The location is not as good as it used to be," he said about the 1925 N. College Ave. address.

The AQ Chicken Express, a quick-service version of the restaurant next door at 1889 N. College Ave., is already closed.

Bradley also owns the original AQ Chicken in Springdale and said business there will continue as usual.

The last day for the Fayetteville restaurant to be open is Sunday, but it could be sooner as employees leave for new jobs. He said displaced workers can apply for a position at the Springdale restaurant, but many have found jobs elsewhere.

"The way the restaurant business is, it's hard to find help, and those people can find jobs," he said. "We've already had calls from other restaurants offering them jobs."

Bradley said he sold the property in December and declined to provide additional details. Washington County property records show a land survey was completed on the property Dec. 21 but doesn't show any sales information. A Weichert Realtors for sale sign sat Wednesday in front of the Express plot of land.

AQ Chicken House opened its first location in 1947 in Springdale. The Fayetteville eatery opened in 1991.

Bradley is the brand's fourth owner, taking over in 1998. Roy Ritter started AQ, which stands for Arkansas Quality. Other owners over the years include Frank Hickingbotham and Ron Palmer.

NW News on 03/31/2016

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