New Augie's Chicken brings homestyle cooking to 3000-sq ft former Arby's

When the new Augie’s Chicken opened its doors on Oakland Avenue recently it did so with the advantages of a long history in the industry and a brand new food concept.
 
Owner Anne Ganakas and her siblings and co-owners have owned Arby’s restaurants in Lansing for more then 30 years. When Ganakas closed the doors of the Arby’s restaurant  between Cedar and Larch on Oakland, she suspected the secret to success would be in offering an entirely different kind of menu.
 
“We needed to open with something else,” she says. “We came up with a concept on our own. Our broasted chicken is made with pressurized cookers so the chicken is juicer and better for us.”
 
Not only will the chicken be special, but Augie’s will feature homemade side and an in-house baker who will prepare fresh pies and treats daily.
 
“And we’d like to get out in the community and do catering as well,” says Ganakas.
 
Preserving the jobs of her former Arby’s employees was important to Ganakas, and she now employs 30 in the new restaurant. The 3,000-square foot casual dining restaurant seats about 60 and underwent significant remodeling. All Lansing-area contractors were used during the project.
 
“We’ve lived here all our lives and we’ve been in the Arby’s business for 30 years,” says Ganakas. “It was important to use local contractors because they’re a part of our community.”
 
Augie’s will announce their grand opening event in the near future on their new Facebook page.