The Bird holds active liquor license at 2031 Chestnut St

Overview

Updated 45 minutes ago

The Bird, a San Francisco fried chicken sandwich chain, now holds an active liquor license and a business registration at 2031 Chestnut Street in the Marina District. The records were filed between October 1 and October 5, 2026.

The address was previously occupied by Asian Box, and the licensing records indicate The Bird III LLC is authorized to serve beer, wine, and spirits with food. The records do not show whether the restaurant is currently open or when it might open.

Why it matters

The Bird has cleared a regulatory hurdle to operate in the Marina, but the records do not confirm an opening date.

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Key Indicators

Records filed

Business registration and ABC license filed between Oct 1 and Oct 5, 2026.

ABC license type

On-Sale General eating place license, allowing beer, wine, and spirits with food.

2026-10-05

License active date

Date the ABC license became active.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Adriano Paganini

Founder and CEO of Back of the House

Active

Organizations Involved

Baird

Investment Bank

Licensed at 2031 Chestnut St

San Francisco fried chicken sandwich chain known for its free-range chicken and apple slaw.

Back of the House

Restaurant group

Parent company of The Bird

Bay Area restaurant group operating over 40 restaurants, including The Bird and Super Duper Burgers.

The Bird III LLC

Licensed business entity

Holder of ABC license at 2031 Chestnut St

Limited liability company that holds the on-sale general eating place license for The Bird at 2031 Chestnut St.

California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

State regulatory agency

Issued active license

California state agency that regulates the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Timeline

November 2016 October 2026

5 events Latest: October 5th, 2026 · 1 month ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
ABC license active
Latest Licensing

ABC license type 47 active for The Bird III LLC at 2031 Chestnut St.
October 5th, 2026
Business registration filed
Licensing

San Francisco business registration filed for location at 2031 Chestnut St.
October 1st, 2026
July 2026
Liquor license application noted
Licensing

Restaurant consulting group's timeline notes liquor license application for 2031 Chestnut St.
July 2026
2021
The Bird opens Hayes Valley location
Business

Second standalone location opens at 406 Hayes St. in Hayes Valley.
2021
November 2016
The Bird opens in SoMa
Business

The Bird debuts at 115 New Montgomery St. in SoMa.
November 2016

Scenarios

The Bird opens at 2031 Chestnut St

Likely Resolves by Oct 5, 2027

Discussed by: Local restaurant blogs and the McFadden-Finch Group

The Bird completes build-out and begins serving customers at the former Asian Box space. The active liquor license and business registration are prerequisites, but the company has not announced an opening date.

The Bird's Marina plans stall

Possible Resolves by Oct 5, 2027

Discussed by: Industry observers

The Bird does not open at 2031 Chestnut St, and the license remains unused or is transferred to another operator. This could happen if build-out costs or lease issues delay the project.

Another restaurant takes over the space

Unlikely Resolves by Oct 5, 2027

Discussed by: Local real estate observers

The Bird's licensing records are a false start, and a different restaurant operator signs a lease for 2031 Chestnut St. This would require The Bird III LLC to surrender its license or never use it.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2021

The Bird's Hayes Valley expansion (2021)

The Bird opened a second standalone location at 406 Hayes St in Hayes Valley, expanding from its original SoMa spot. The move followed five years of growth for the brand.

Then

The Hayes Valley location opened and remains in operation.

Now

The expansion demonstrated The Bird could operate multiple standalone restaurants in San Francisco.

Why this matters now

The current licensing at 2031 Chestnut St is the first standalone address The Bird has licensed since Hayes Valley.

2016-2026

Asian Box at 2031 Chestnut St (2016-2026)

Asian Box, a fast-casual Vietnamese concept, operated at 2031 Chestnut St from 2016, according to a restaurant consulting group. It took over the space after Tacolicious moved out.

Then

Asian Box's lease is nearing its end, according to the McFadden-Finch Group.

Now

The address has a history of restaurant turnover, with Tacolicious and Asian Box both occupying the space.

Why this matters now

The Bird's licensing records are for the same address, but they do not confirm when or if it will open.