Doing Business: Chicken Kitchen

EAST COUNTY — A trip to Miami shook up Gris Bettle’s life.

The father of four and 20-year mortgage broker was visiting his wife’s brother, Justin Mattina, when he discovered his next business venture — one that uprooted his career from real estate to a restaurant venture.

Mattina, a former chef, raved about a “tiny restaurant nearby that always had a line wrapped around the block” because of its fresh ingredients and signature chicken, rice and beans, Bettle remembered.
After the duo visited the restaurant a few times, Bettle couldn’t stop eating the food, he said. He and Mattina talked with the fast-food chain’s founder, Christian de Berdouare, and decided to buy into the franchise.

Bettle embraced the change of pace.

“The mortgage business had its up and downs, which have been tricky,” Bettle said. “But, even in a down economy, you’ll want a great meal for cheaper than going to a store and making it yourself. These types of places consistently do well.”

Bettle and Mattina became business partners when they bought into the franchise last year. And, about two months ago, the in-laws opened East County’s first Chicken Kitchen, located at 5215 University Parkway.

Chicken Kitchen serves a healthier option to fast-food chicken and a tastier one, the-in laws said.
The menu offers marinated and grilled white meat chicken, fresh salads and homemade sides, such as rice and beans. Chicken Kitchen also offers a different spin on sandwiches and pitas, with its signature Pita-Pockettes, Panini Grillers and Chop-Chop.

Chop-Chop is a process Chicken Kitchen employees use to combine freshly marinated chicken with a bowl of rice and other ingredients, with a range of sauces.

The brothers-in-law pride their local rendition of the brand on the range of options it offers patrons.

“When you come in and see the menu, it can look complicated at first, but it’s simple,” Bettle said. “The menu is fun. You can add things to your order and really customize what you want.”

An aspect that intrigued Bettle as a Chicken Kitchen customer is the grilling process, which he learned during his and Mattina’s six months of hands-on training.

His staff members recreate the slow cooking grilling process daily at the local branch of the chain.
Chicken Kitchen, in business 27 years, uses a special grill that emits a lower flame, as to not overcook and to preserve the flavor throughout the hour-long grilling process, Bettle said.

Bettle has his sights fixed on expansion already. He expects another store in northwest Bradenton and a location near Sarasota Memorial Hospital.

“We want to be near families, teachers, students and any workers who are looking for a fast, good place to eat on their lunch breaks,” Bettle said.

Chicken Kitchen
Owners: Gris Bettle and Justin Mattina

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays

Location: 5215 University Parkway, Sarasota

Services: Marinated grilled chicken entrees, fresh salads and homemade side orders

Website: chickenkitchen.com

Chicken Kitchen co-owners Gris Bettle and Justin Mattina are brothers-in-law, who both grew up in Manatee County. Bettle attended St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and lived in Sarasota. Mattina grew up in Bradenton. Prior to becoming business partners with Bettle, Mattina attended the Florida Culinary Institute and worked as a chef. Bettle was a mortgage broker for 20 years and wanted a change of pace from the real estate business.

20 Minutes to fitness
An East County fitness facility is celebrating a decade in Lakewood Ranch.

To commemorate 10 years, 20 Minutes to Fitness will host an Open House
Celebration from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 21, at its East County location, 6257 Lake Osprey Drive, Lakewood Ranch.

The facility offers strength training that its owners say allows participants to achieve in one weekly 20-minute session what might require more than three hours per week at a regular gym.

Super stretch equipment places the body into stretching positions that also exercise the body. The routine keeps the muscles and joints healthy and flexible, according to co-owners Virginia Phillips, Al Roach and Angela Begin.

For more information on 20 Minutes to Fitness or the upcoming event, visit 20minutesoffitness.com or call 309-8989.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].