Big Dean’s Hot Chicken to Close in Downtown State College as Owners Plan ‘New Concept’

Downtown State College soon will have one fewer place for chicken tenders. Big Dean's Hot Chicken, 208 W. College Ave., will close on Nov. 25 after five years in business, according to signs inside the restaurant thanking customers for their patronage. The signs encouraged customers to "visit Dean's staff down the street at Snap Custom Pizza," which shares the same ownership, and "at our new concept opening in Spring 2027." The director of operations for Big Dean's and Snap told StateCollege.com that the new concept restaurant will open in the current Big Dean's location, but deferred questions to co-owner and founder Peter Howey, who did not respond to a message seeking comment on Wednesday afternoon. Big Dean's Hot Chicken opened in 2021, offering award-winning chef Dean Dupuis' Nashville Hot, Inferno and homestyle fried chicken in tenders and sandwiches. Selections also come with a choice of sauces, such as BD's Signature and Tennessee Sunshine BBQ, Texas toast, cole sla