Seattle’s own Ezell’s Famous Chicken, which has three locations in Renton, was recently voted “Most Life Changing Fried Chicken in America” by an Esquire Magazine poll.

The company, which opened its first store in Seattle in 1984, took 50 percent of the vote and beat Price’s Chicken Coop of Charlotte, North Carolina.Ezell’s Famous Chicken has locations in Skyway, the Highlands and Fairwood.

Ironically, the company’s original co-founder, Ezell Stephens, is no longer with the chicken chain, but has his own store in Renton as well: Heaven Sent Chicken. Although, they settled in a lawsuit out of court, both companies apparently use the same fried chicken recipe. Other family members remain at Ezell’s Famous Chicken.

After the announcement about the poll last Wednesday, Ezell’s Fried Chicken was extra busy with orders over the weekend.The Renton Highlands store has seen a sales increase of about 20 percent and new customers, according to Lewis Rudd, the president, CEO and co-founder.The Fairwood location has also increased sales by about 15 percent.