Heaven Scent Chicken
The legal battle over Oprah's favorite fried chicken is over, but Ezell can no longer use his name to sell his famous chicken. (97.3 KIRO FM/Ursula Reutin)

Ezell loses his name, but keeps the chicken

BY Ursula Reutin  on October 18, 2011 @ 3:18 pm (Updated: 5:53 pm - 10/18/11 )

The legal battle over Oprah's favorite fried chicken is over, but Ezell can no longer use his name to sell his famous chicken.

But don't worry, the food coming out of the deep fryer at his Lake City store, now called "Heaven Sent," tastes the same.

"The same guy that cooked Oprah's chicken is still cooking the chicken. The same guy that made the spices and seasoned the chicken is still making the chicken. So the recipes didn't change, only the name," said Ezell Stephens.

Stephens started chicken chain in 1984 with his ex-wife and former brother-in-law.

It's been a long battle for Stephens, who was fired and sued from the corporation he was part owner of, over allegations of breach of contract and misusing his own recipes.

The case was settled out of court, but as part of the agreement, his ex-partners get the rights to his name. Stephens is not worried.

"It doesn't matter what you call it. If I'm making it, it's always going to be me. I'm Ezell."

Plans for a third Heaven Sent chicken store in Renton is already in the works for next month. Eventually Stephens hopes to expand to his home state of Texas.

Ursula Reutin, KIRO Radio Reporter
Ursula Reutin is the news anchor for The Dori Monson Show and has worked nearly every position in the KIRO Radio newsroom since her arrival in 1988.
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Comments (17)


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  • wheresjane wrote...
    Stick it to the man
    October 18, 2011 2:46 pm
    Congrats on the victory!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • odroku wrote...
    only in America...
    October 18, 2011 2:57 pm
    can a corporation be said to have more legal claim to a man's name than the man himself. Just as long as I know which stores to patronize to support the right man and get the good chicken and which to avoid maybe other than to thumb my nose at.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • yaddamaster wrote...
    odroku - good grief
    October 18, 2011 6:18 pm
    yeah, well only in america can you draw a connection that doesn't exist. A corporation has more legal claim to his name when used as a corporate name BECAUSE HE USED HIS NAME IN THE CORPORATION'S NAME you id!0t!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • onlyhopeful wrote...
    Location Location
    October 18, 2011 4:18 pm
    What about the one on 112th in Everett? Who owns and operates that location?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • 02BASounder wrote...
    From the Ezell's Website
    October 18, 2011 8:36 pm
    Important Disclaimer: The Ezell's-branded stores located in Lake City Way and Everett are not controlled by or affiliated with EFC, Inc.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Plans for a third Heaven Sent chicken store in Renton is already in the works for next month
    October 18, 2011 5:27 pm
    SWEET! Much closer to home.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • forcryingoutloud wrote...
    Go Ezell!
    October 18, 2011 6:06 pm
    More power to him. Heaven Sent is where I'll be spending my money...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Cash wrote...
    Maybe
    October 18, 2011 8:25 pm
    He should legally change his name to Ezel and continue on?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • artimus wrote...
    I know Ezell's chicken is the stuff of legend
    October 18, 2011 9:26 pm
    ...but I find it way too greasy and way over priced. Call me a heretic but I prefer Albertsons fried chicken if I don't have time to cook it myself.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Million dollar chicken...
    October 19, 2011 8:28 am
    Fifty-cent brain running the business.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • David C wrote...
    Just you wait.....
    October 19, 2011 8:39 am
    Ezell, I hope you eventually open more stores and put your old business out of business! Once the name then becomes available, you can take it back! I almost went to the location in Kent, but after reading this article, I won't be going to any Ezell's Famous Chicken places! Heaven Sent baby.....yum!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sportsguru wrote...
    David C
    October 19, 2011 5:34 pm
    Here, here, I typically go to the one across the street from Garfield high school, no more, besides the hire nothing but illegal immigrants and I am tired of talking really slow to make an order. I am done with them and will only go to heaven sent.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    "...but I find it way too greasy and way over priced."
    October 19, 2011 9:58 am
    I agree. I had it once after people at work raved about it. I found it greasy, tasteless and the coating unimpressive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eric von zipper wrote...
    I'm with the Albertson's comment
    October 19, 2011 10:36 am
    I had heard the Ezell hype for years and stopped in at the Lake City location. The coating was like a shell...not really adhered to the meat (too much wetness, grease on the meat when fried?) and a bite just broke it away from the chicken leg. It was ok, but yes, if you hit Albertson's and the chicken has recently emerged from the frier it is superior. Plus, Oprah could rave about a bowl of dandelions topped with A1 sauce and her idiot fans would go bonkers for it, so factor that in.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }