ChainFEST is a food festival built around chef-led takes on familiar chain restaurant dishes, restaurant pop-ups and interactive experiences. The documented New York and Los Angeles editions took place in 2024; the available official information does not confirm a later date, venue, lineup or ticket availability.
What is ChainFEST?
ChainFEST brings recognizable restaurant brands into a festival setting, pairing familiar flavors with exclusive dishes developed with chefs. Its events have also featured pop-ups and activities such as games, rides, photo moments and immersive brand experiences. The idea is less a conventional restaurant crawl than a tasting event centered on the nostalgia and shared appeal of chain food.
In a 2024 announcement, co-founder B.J. Novak described chain restaurants as “one of the great shared touchstones in our culture.” Chef and co-founder Tim Hollingsworth said he hoped each festival bite would “unlock a cherished memory.” Those statements reflect the organizers’ framing of the event, not independent reviews of the food.
When and where has ChainFEST taken place?
The official materials document two 2024 editions. The dates and venues below are historical; they should not be treated as an announcement of a future festival.
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| Edition | Date and venue | What organizers announced |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Saturday, September 21, 2024, Randall’s Island Park | Food, games, rides, immersive experiences and custom cocktails. The official event page described the event as all ages, with food included in the ticket. |
| Los Angeles | Saturday, October 5, 2024, Skylight ROW DTLA | More than 15 announced gourmet collaborations and activations, with restaurant pop-ups, games and photo moments. Food was included with tasting tickets. |
The New York event page is still labeled as the 2024 edition and says, “THANK YOU NEW YORK CITY, See you Next year!” It does not provide a confirmed subsequent date, location, lineup or ticket offer. Check the official ChainFEST site for any future announcement rather than relying on the old event details.
Which restaurants participated?
Organizers announced different participating brands for each 2024 city. These lists describe those editions only and are not a current or promised lineup.
New York, 2024
The announcement named KFC, Panda Express, Red Robin, Krispy Kreme, Red Lobster, Chuck E. Cheese, Hot Dog on a Stick, Portillo’s and Trader Vic’s among the participating brands and collaborations. It also referenced other partners.
Los Angeles, 2024
The announcement named Domino’s, KFC, Cracker Barrel, White Castle, Johnny Rockets, Krispy Kreme, Panda Express, Red Robin, Red Lobster, Dutch Bros, Hot Dog on a Stick and Trader Vic’s among its partners.
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At the Los Angeles edition, Hollingsworth said he had been working with participating chains on dishes exclusive to ChainFEST. The announcements do not establish that every named restaurant appeared in both cities or that any past participant will return.
What did a ChainFEST ticket include, and what did it cost?
For New York in 2024, organizers advertised tasting tickets from $99.99, all-inclusive VIP tickets from $399.99 and a Chef’s Tasting VIP Table from $1,299.99. These are historical advertised prices, not current offers. The New York event page said food was included with admission; the Los Angeles announcement said food was included with tasting tickets. The available materials do not establish a current ticket price or what a future ticket would include.
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What do the attendance claims mean?
The organizer’s announcements cited 5,000 fans at the 2023 Los Angeles debut and said the 2023 New York edition sold out within three hours. For the planned 2024 New York event, the organizer forecast more than 10,000 fans and food lovers; that was a promotional projection, not a verified attendance result. These figures were reported by the organizer, not independently audited.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is ChainFEST happening again?
The documented sources establish the 2024 New York and Los Angeles events, but do not confirm a later edition. The official New York page’s “See you Next year!” message is not a specific date or ticket announcement. Until organizers publish concrete details, there is no supported current answer for when or where the festival will return.
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