Local businessman and entrepreneur Steve Windham can now add restaurant franchisee to his endeavors as a Chicken Express will be built on property he recently purchased at 323 Tenaha Street.

Windham tells Center Broadcasting he just finalized plans and construction is to start around June 1, with a four-month expected completion.

Windham's said he felt there was a need in Center for Chicken Express' product, and a place where someone could get a good complete meal for $7.

The Texas-based restaurant chain has 207 stores and is famous for their chicken tenders, sides and of course sweet tea. Windham tells us the 3,200 sq. ft building will be constructed of real Austin white stone and red brick, will seat 68 patrons with parking for 60 vehicles.

He said he plans to have 30 local employees serving lunch and dinner, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Steve Windham owns five Quick Change Oil & Lube Centers and four car wash locations in east Texas and west Louisiana, including one of each along Tenaha Street.

He says the Tenaha Street property where Chicken Express is to be built is large enough to allow for other future development.