After nearly six decades as a beloved name in American comfort food, Lee’s Famous Recipe® Chicken is embarking on a meaningful new chapter of growth in Central Indiana—one that brings the brand back to its roots while positioning it for long-term expansion. The company announced that Jack Omer, a third-generation member of the founding family, has acquired the Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken restaurant in New Castle, Indiana, and signed a development agreement to open six additional Lee’s locations throughout the greater Indianapolis area over the next five years.
For Lee’s, the move represents far more than a routine franchise transaction. It marks a rare full-circle moment in which the legacy of the brand’s founders converges with a modern growth strategy led by a new generation that understands both the history of the company and the evolving expectations of today’s consumers.
A Family Legacy Reignited
Jack Omer is the grandson of Harold Omer, who co-founded Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken alongside his brother-in-law, Lee Cummings. What began as a single restaurant concept built around a distinctive pressure-fried chicken recipe has grown into a nationally recognized brand with deep community ties across the Midwest and beyond.
For Omer, stepping into ownership is both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. Having grown up surrounded by Lee’s restaurants, he spent much of his childhood inside the kitchens and dining rooms where the brand’s culture was forged.
“Joining this chapter of the Lee’s community is incredibly special to me,” Omer said. “Seeing the brand continue to thrive is both humbling and deeply personal, knowing the vision my grandfather and great-uncle built is still alive nearly 60 years later. With the franchisor’s commitment to quality and growth, I’m excited to help carry that momentum forward for our company, our community, and our family.”
Omer’s early exposure to the brand was hands-on. From learning back-of-house operations to observing customer interactions and community engagement, he absorbed the values that helped Lee’s earn its reputation for consistency, hospitality, and hometown appeal. Those formative experiences now inform his approach as an owner focused on responsible growth and long-term brand stewardship.
Honoring a Community Staple in New Castle
As part of this transition, Omer acquired the New Castle, Indiana, restaurant from longtime franchisee Mike Fort, who operated the location for nearly three decades after opening it in 1996. Under Fort’s leadership, the restaurant became a trusted staple in the community, serving generations of families and building a loyal customer base rooted in quality food and personal service.
“Mike has been such a strong and dedicated ambassador of the brand,” Omer said. “Generations of families have made this restaurant part of their lives, and his commitment to running a successful business and giving back to the community has left a meaningful legacy. We wish him a wonderful retirement and sincerely thank him for his decades of service to Lee’s.”
Fort’s tenure reflects one of Lee’s defining strengths: long-term franchise partnerships built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to local engagement. The transition to Omer’s ownership ensures continuity while creating opportunities to modernize the restaurant experience.
Remodeling and Reinvestment in the Market
With the acquisition complete, Omer will work closely with Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken’s corporate leadership to remodel the New Castle location. The updates are expected to align the restaurant with current brand standards, enhance operational efficiency, and improve the guest experience while preserving the familiar elements that longtime customers value.
Omer will collaborate directly with Chief Development Officer Logan Sumner and the brand’s development team to oversee the remodel and guide expansion efforts across Central Indiana. The broader development agreement includes plans for six new Lee’s restaurants in the greater Indianapolis area over the next five years, signaling a renewed investment in one of the brand’s core regions.
The expansion comes at a time when Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken is seeing growing interest from multi-unit operators who are drawn to the brand’s proven operating model, recognizable menu, and strong regional loyalty.
Leadership Confidence and Strategic Alignment
Lee’s leadership team sees Omer’s return to the system as a powerful endorsement of the brand’s direction and values.
“Jack represents everything that makes Lee’s special,” said Ryan Weaver, CEO of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken. “He grew up in our kitchens, learned the business from the people who built it, and carries a deep respect for the communities these restaurants serve. His blend of family connection, operational understanding, and brand experience makes him uniquely positioned to lead our growth in Central Indiana. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to the Famous Family and look forward to the impact he’ll make in the years ahead.”
Weaver emphasized that Omer’s leadership arrives at a pivotal time for the brand, as Lee’s continues to refine its franchise support systems, invest in marketing and menu innovation, and strengthen its presence in key Midwest markets.
Positioning Lee’s for the Next 60 Years
Founded in the mid-1960s, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has built its reputation on a proprietary blend of spices, pressure-fried preparation, and a menu that balances indulgent comfort food with approachable value. Over the years, the brand has evolved while staying true to its roots, maintaining a strong foothold in small towns and suburban communities.
The planned Central Indiana expansion reflects Lee’s broader strategy to grow deliberately in markets where the brand’s heritage resonates and where operators can build lasting community relationships. Omer’s development agreement underscores confidence in the Indianapolis market’s potential, supported by population growth, strong demand for familiar dining experiences, and a competitive but opportunity-rich quick-service landscape.
For Omer, the opportunity represents a chance to honor the past while shaping the future.
“This brand has always been about more than just food,” he said. “It’s about people, neighborhoods, and doing things the right way. That’s what my grandfather and great-uncle believed in, and that’s what I want to continue building as we grow.”
As Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken approaches its 60th anniversary, the return of third-generation family leadership in Central Indiana serves as a reminder of the brand’s enduring appeal. With a blend of legacy, operational experience, and forward-looking development plans, the next phase of Lee’s growth aims to strengthen its place in the communities it serves—one restaurant at a time.
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