Virginia restaurant company brings chicken joint to Columbia’s Five Points

A Richmond, Va.-based restaurant specializing in fried, smoked and boneless wings, is coming to Five Points to a space formerly occupied by the Carolina Barber Shop and Sushi Yoshi, 2021 and 2019 Devine St. in Columbia.

Cason Development Group acquired those properties and the adjacent marquee corner at Devine and Harden streets, where Men’s Wearhouse is located, a total of 5,200 square feet, in 2021. The architect for the new Cocky Rooster project is Steve Beckham of W.S. Beckham, Architect, of West Columbia.

Set to open in the fourth quarter, Cocky Rooster will provide delivery, takeout and dine-in service, with a capacity of 24 seats. Plans are to be open Sunday-Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Thursday-Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

“We are excited to bring Cocky Rooster to Columbia,” Brett Diehl, co-founder and president of Cocky Rooster, said in the news release. “Being in the Gamecocks’ backyard is the perfect fit for our brand, and we’re eager to show South Carolina why we’re Cocky.”

To give the restaurant a local flare, Cocky Rooster is collaborating with Columbia artists and suppliers to make the space unique, reflecting the distinctive culture and spirit of Columbia, the release stated.

“We have really enjoyed working with the Cocky Rooster team,” Frank Cason, president of Cason Development Group, said in the release. “They are committed to Columbia, and we feel strongly that their vision marries well with the direction of where Five Points is heading.”

Veteran Virginia restaurateur Curtis Lyons is the franchisee for the Columbia location.

“I have a daughter who attends USC and is a Gamecock through and through,” Lyons said. “After visiting Columbia for three years and attending football games, I also fell in love with the city and the university. We are so excited to be able to open a Cocky Rooster in Five Points.”

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Lyons has 30 years in the restaurant business with time spent at Houston’s Restaurants, Village Tavern Restaurants and as the owner of Roger Brown’s Restaurant and Sports Bar and Cove Tavern.

“We are committed to delivering the best chicken wings and tenders to our new community in Columbia,” Luke Phillips, co-founder and CEO of Cocky Rooster, said in the release. “Our team is excited to serve the Gamecocks and contribute to the local food scene.”

With two locations in the Richmond area, and more planned, Cocky Rooster has earned numerous awards for its menu. A new location is also planned for Gainesville, Fla. Cocky Rooster was established in 2020.