Chickie’s and Pete’s

In 2014, Hersheypark added a new branded concession stand, one that was local to the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore area – Chickie’s & Pete’s. Chickie’s & Pete’s opened up a location inside Hersheypark in the Midway America region of the park. A new structure was built adjacent to the Midway America Subway stand across from Midway Emporium gift shop.

---

We are very excited to bring some of Chickie’s and Pete’s signature food to Hersheypark, especially our world famous crabfries.

— Pete Ciarrocchi, chairman and CEO of Chickie’s & Pete’s

---

Chickie’s & Pete’s was founded in 1977. They opened their first concession stand at Veterans Stadium (The Vet) in Philadelphia in 1998. They then moved into Citizens Bank Park after The Vet closed. Their first amusement park concession was in Allentown, PA, at Dorney Park, in 2011. The following year, they expanded to western Pennsylvania, opening a concession in PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Chickie’s & Pete’s expanded to Cedar Point the same year as Hersheypark. Their contract with Cedar Point expired in the 2024 season and was not renewed. The other amusement park they went into was Carowinds in 2014, as well. Carowinds retained Chickie’s & Pete’s unlike Cedar Point.

Since then, Chickie’s & Pete’s has expanded further along the Jersey Shore on the Wildwood Boardwalk and Ocean City Boardwalk (where they operate two concessions). They have also added restaurants out in the midwestern and western United States in cities such as Kansas City and Las Vegas.

First Hersheypark location

When Chickie’s & Pete’s opened in Midway America, aside from their famous crabfries, menu options included their Philly Cheesesteak and the crab pretzel. The food stand was announced on December 17, 2013.

The Chickie’s & Pete’s addition was one headliner amongst three rides Hersheypark was opening in 2014 (a family gravity roller coaster, Cocoa Cruiser, a kiddie ride, Sweet Swing, and a family ride, Teacups).

Second Hersheypark location

In 2016, Hersheypark somewhat unexpectedly added a second Chickie’s & Pete’s location. This location is in the Pioneer Frontier Food Court. The same menu options are available at both locations in the park. It was placed right next to the Moe’s concession stand, which opened in 2015. (Moe’s was subsequently replaced by Los Tres Cubanos Empanada concession in 2025.)

---