For more than 50 years, Stellar Bank customer Frenchy’s Chicken has been serving up its famous Creole-style fired chicken alongside New Orleans-inspired favorites like collard greens, dirty rice, red beans, and boudin balls. Founded in 1969, this mom-and-pop has grown from a small po-boy sandwich shop in the Third Ward to a beloved Houston staple with multiple Frenchy’s Chicken locations across the metroplex. Building on this success, Frenchy’s expanded into food manufacturing with its sister company, Frenchy’s Sausage Company, which makes and distributes food for retail and wholesalers.
We recently sat down with Percy Creuzot III, chairman of the board at Frenchy’s, to discuss his father’s legacy, the importance of community involvement, and highlight how Stellar supports Frenchy’s goals now and in the future.
A Legacy of Food and Family
“My dad, Percy ‘Frenchy’ Creuzot Jr., had this idea to introduce Houston to Creole food, especially the New Orleans po boy,” said Creuzot. “But at the suggestion of a friend, he started selling Creole-style fried chicken, which became an immediate success. Taking that initial risk to fry up chicken really helped transform Frenchy’s into what it is today.”
Over the years, Frenchy’s has never lost sight of its core values: honor brand heritage, passion for community, integrity above all, and authentic Creole comfort.
“Just the fact that we have been able to make it for more than 50 years in the restaurant business is something to be proud of,” said Creuzot. “To still be doing it, and still be growing, is an amazing accomplishment.”
Houston Born, Houston Strong
Frenchy’s motto is simple: “When you’re eating with us, you’re family.” As a multigenerational restaurant business rooted in Houston, the connection between food, family, and community runs deep.
“Food brings people together. And as we’ve grown, so has our impact. Our Houston community looks up to us and supports us. We recognize that, and in turn, we support the community and give back,” said Creuzot.
"An important part of Frenchy’s culture is to deliver hospitality and leave a positive impact,” said Creuzot. “We want to serve our customers with an authentic Creole experience that they can savor and enjoy.”
Banking in the Bayou City
In 2022, Frenchy’s had a unique opportunity to build a flagship restaurant near its original location on Scott Street, but securing the right financing was crucial. For that, Creuzot turned to Stellar Bank.
“Our relationship with Stellar has had a positive impact on our business,” said Creuzot. “We’re where we are today because of Stellar Bank.”
Stellar Bank loan officers worked closely with Frenchy’s to secure a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan and achieve this goal.
Backed by the U.S. government, SBA loan programs are structured to help small businesses grow by enabling entrepreneurs to borrow on better terms than they can conventionally. SBA loans typically have lower interest rates, longer repayment terms, and lower down payments. Stellar Bank understands the intricacies of SBA financing, including eligibility, underwriting, closing, funding, and servicing. The dedicated SBA team helped Frenchy’s navigate the entire process from start to finish.
“Stellar Bank worked very hard to get the deal done,” said Creuzot. “Working with the SBA required a lot of information. It took a while to get all the paperwork we needed and Stellar did all the financing for us. We were able to work everything out seamlessly.”
Beyond business financing, Frenchy’s also depends on Stellar Bank for its personalized banking services.
“I enjoy my relationship with Stellar Bank. I can pick up the phone and talk to people about whatever I need. There’s always open communication. And I look forward to the experience of going into my bank and talking to my officer every month,” said Creuzot.
Interested in an SBA loan? Stellar Bank can help. Connect with a Stellar Banker so we can get to know your business needs and find a lending solution that can help you meet your goals.
