About Us

Our Story

Chicken Road Gaming began as a simple question between three college friends in 2016: "Why did the gamer cross the road?" The answer became our mission—to create a place where digital gamers could cross over into analog gaming, and vice versa, all while enjoying great food in a welcoming community space.

Founders Alex Chen, Maya Rodriguez, and Darius Williams—a programmer, board game designer, and chef respectively—pooled their savings and expertise to open the first Chicken Road location in a small strip mall with just 10 computers and 20 board games. The name was inspired by both the classic joke and the "crossing over" between gaming worlds the friends envisioned.

That first location quickly became a local hotspot, with gamers of all types coming together over our signature Chicken Road Wings. In 2018, we moved to our current flagship location, expanding to 30 gaming PCs, over 300 board games, and a full-service kitchen. Today, we operate three locations across the city, with plans for regional expansion while maintaining our core values of inclusivity, quality experience, and building genuine community around gaming culture.

Our Mission & Values

What drives us and shapes our gaming community

Our Mission

"To create inclusive gaming spaces where people of all backgrounds can connect through shared experiences, crossing the divide between digital and analog worlds, all fueled by exceptional food and genuine community."

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Inclusive Gaming

We believe gaming should be accessible to everyone regardless of experience level, background, or preferred platform. Our spaces are designed to welcome newcomers and veterans alike, with staff trained to help introduce new games and foster connections.

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Bridging Worlds

We're passionate about connecting different gaming communities, encouraging PC gamers to try board games and vice versa. This cross-pollination creates a unique culture at Chicken Road that celebrates all forms of play and the diverse perspectives they bring.

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Quality Experience

From our high-performance gaming rigs to our carefully curated board game collection and chef-designed menu, we're committed to excellence in every aspect of the Chicken Road experience. We believe quality creates memories worth sharing.

Meet Our Team

The passionate people behind Chicken Road Gaming

Alex Chen

CEO & Co-Founder

A former competitive gamer and software developer, Alex oversees our technology infrastructure and business development. His vision for merging digital and analog gaming worlds is the foundation of Chicken Road's unique approach. When not working, you'll find him hosting impromptu strategy game tournaments.

Maya Rodriguez

Creative Director & Co-Founder

With a background in game design and user experience, Maya curates our board game collection and designs our signature events. Her knack for explaining complex game rules has helped countless newcomers discover the joy of gaming. Maya's passion project is our annual Game Jam competition.

Darius Williams

Culinary Director & Co-Founder

After training at culinary school and working in top restaurants, Darius combined his love of food and gaming to create our innovative "gamer-friendly" menu. His signature Chicken Road Wings have won local food awards, and he continually experiments with new dishes inspired by popular games.

Zoe Nakamura

Community Manager

Joining our team in 2019, Zoe has transformed our events program and online community. A former esports coordinator with a degree in communications, she manages our tournaments, social media presence, and community outreach initiatives. Zoe's weekly streaming sessions have built a dedicated online following.

Our Achievements

Milestones we're proud of

3

Locations

50K+

Happy Gamers

300+

Board Games

12

Industry Awards

Key Achievements

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"Best Gaming Venue" - National Gaming Association (2022 & 2023)

Recognized for our exceptional facilities and community impact two years running.
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"Food Innovation Award" - Culinary Experience Awards (2023)

Our Chicken Road Wings and game-themed menu items caught the attention of food critics nationwide.
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"Community Impact Award" - City Business Council (2021-2023)

Three consecutive years of recognition for our youth programs and digital literacy initiatives.
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"Best New Family Game" - BoardCon (2023)

Our flagship board game "Chicken Road: The Board Game" won critical acclaim at the industry's largest convention.

Community Voices

What our members say about Chicken Road

"I've been to gaming cafes all over the country, and Chicken Road is unlike anything I've experienced. The seamless blend of PC gaming and board games creates this incredible community vibe, and don't even get me started on those wings! This place has become my second home, and I've made genuine friendships here that extend beyond gaming."

Marcus Jensen, Software Engineer & Regular Since 2019

"As someone who organizes corporate team-building events, I can't praise Chicken Road enough. Their custom gaming challenges and private suite options have transformed how our teams connect. The staff is incredibly accommodating and professional, and the food always gets rave reviews. We've seen measurable improvements in team collaboration after our monthly gaming sessions here."

Aisha Patel, HR Director at TechVision Inc.

"Our family Sunday tradition started at Chicken Road three years ago when our teenagers were reluctant to join 'boring' family time. The staff recommended games that bridged our generation gap, and now we never miss our weekly gaming session. The inclusive atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome regardless of gaming experience, and we've connected with our kids in ways we never expected. Plus, the family meal deal is unbeatable value!"

Luis and Emma Ramirez, Family Members Since 2020