Major fried chicken franchise Genesis BBQ has expanded into its 33rd U.S. state with the opening of a new store in South Carolina. Its latest expansion underscores the company’s continued growth across the southeastern United States. The move is part of the company’s broader initiative to establish a presence in all 50 states. Two BBQ stores have opened in South Carolina — one in Indian Land and another in Greenville. BBQ Chicken's Indian Land location is a 39.66-square-meter restaurant with 12 seats. Located near the border between North and South Carolina, the site is strategically positioned to attract customers from both states, according to the company. BBQ Chicken's Greenville location is a takeout-only store situated near Greenville Downtown Airport and Bob Jones University, an area with heavy foot traffic. BBQ said it selected South Carolina for its new locations because of the stable economy and strong population base. The state’s population reached 5.47 million last year, up 90,000 from the previous year — the 10th-highest growth rate among U.S. states in 2024. The av