Marcus Rivera
Co-Founder & CEO
Marcus turned his family's love for chicken into a thriving brand. He leads strategy, culture, and the vision that keeps Starbird growing.
Our Story Since 2015
The Starbird Story — Passion for Great Chicken
We are Starbird chicken — a family of food lovers dedicated to crafting bold, satisfying starbird chicken meals using only the freshest ingredients. From our humble beginnings in Pleasanton, CA, we've grown into a beloved brand across the United States.
9+
Years Serving
50K+
Happy Guests
4.9
Star Rating
2015
Founded in Pleasanton, CA
Our Roots
How the Starbird Chicken Brand Was Born
It all started with a simple idea: what if fast food could actually taste like it was made with love? Founders Marcus and Elena Rivera had grown up watching their family gather around the dinner table for crispy, golden chicken made from scratch. They wanted to bottle that feeling and share it with their community.
In 2015, they opened the first Starbird location at 6455 Owens Dr in Pleasanton. Word spread fast. Customers kept coming back — not just for the food, but for the experience. Today, the starbird chicken name is synonymous with quality, warmth, and flavor that's hard to forget.
- Fresh, never-frozen chicken sourced from local farms
- Hand-crafted marinades and sauces made daily in-house
- Community-first approach — we give back to the neighborhoods we serve
- No artificial preservatives, no shortcuts — ever
What We Stand For
Our Core Values as Starbirds
Every decision we make — from sourcing ingredients to training our team — is guided by these four principles.
Fresh Quality
We never compromise on ingredients. Every piece of chicken is fresh, every sauce is made in-house, and every meal is prepared with care.
Community First
We're more than a restaurant — we're neighbors. We partner with local farms, sponsor local events, and invest in the communities we call home.
Bold Innovation
We're always exploring new flavors, new cooking techniques, and new ways to surprise and delight our guests — while staying true to our roots.
Honest Integrity
We do what we say and say what we do. From transparent sourcing to fair pricing, you can always trust what's on your plate and on our menu.
The People Behind the Food
Meet the Starbird Chicken Team
Our passionate team of chefs, operators, and food lovers make the Starbird experience possible every single day.
Elena Rivera
Co-Founder & Head Chef
The creative force behind every recipe, Elena's culinary vision shapes our menu. She trained in San Francisco and brings a global palate to every dish.
James Okafor
Director of Operations
James keeps every location running like clockwork. With 15 years in restaurant ops, he ensures that every Starbird location delivers consistently.
Priya Nair
Head of Marketing
Priya is the voice of Starbird. She builds connections between our brand and our customers through storytelling, social media, and community partnerships.
Our Journey
The Starbird Chicken Timeline
From a single location to a growing family of restaurants — here's how starbirds came to life.
2015
The First Nest Opens
Marcus and Elena Rivera open the original Starbird location at 6455 Owens Dr, Pleasanton, CA. With only 8 tables and a 10-item menu, the word-of-mouth response is immediate — lines form before noon on day one.
2017
Best New Restaurant Award
Starbird chicken is named "Best New Restaurant in the Bay Area" by three regional food publications. The signature Crispy Starbird Sandwich goes viral on social media, driving a 400% increase in foot traffic.
2019
Expansion Across California
Riding demand, we open three new locations across California. A dedicated catering arm launches to serve corporate and event clients, becoming the top-rated catering provider in the East Bay within 18 months.
2021
Digital Ordering & Delivery Launch
We launch our own online ordering platform, giving guests across the United States the ability to order their favorite starbird chicken meals with ease. Delivery partnerships expand our reach to thousands of new customers.
2023
Franchise Program Launches
The Starbird Franchise Program officially opens, allowing passionate entrepreneurs to bring the starbirds experience to their own communities. Applications pour in from coast to coast.
2025
National Presence & Beyond
With over 50,000 happy guests served and franchise locations across multiple states, Starbird chicken is now a truly national brand. Our journey of serving bold, honest food continues stronger than ever.