He can’t use his name, but Ezell says the chicken’s the same

He’s been tantalizing our taste buds for decades. But even though Ezell’s is synonymous for the Seattle area’s best fried chicken, he’s had to give up his name.

After a long legal battle with his business partner, Ezell Stephens has settled. He can keep making chicken, but he can’t call it Ezell’s.

He joined us on the Dori Monson Show to talk about why his new chicken joints are now called “Heaven Sent.” And it’s clear, despite the fact his former partners get to keep his name and original recipes, he’s doing just fine.

Listen to (Interview) Ezell Stephens explains why the name’s changed, but the chicken’s still the same

“It only has my name. It don’t have no Ezell in it. That’s the main ingredient,” says the exuberant Stephens.

As for the new name? He says it was easy to come up with it because he’s been saying his talent was heaven sent since he started back in the 80’s. And he insists he has no bitterness about what went down.

“All of that had to happen for this to be,” he says.