The last name Parmerlee is synonymous with business and civic impact in Richardson, TX. The Parmerlee presence is a powerful two-person engine: Mark, the long-established business leader who built Golden Tree Restaurants into a regional force; and Michael, who has spent the past decade carving out his own path as a civic organizer and connector.

The story of Mark and Michael is not about succession, but about parallel influence—a father whose business and philanthropic reputation helped shape modern Richardson, and a son whose deep civic involvement has cemented his place as an outstanding community leader. They work side by side, each in his own lane, carrying the same ethos of integrity, service, and commitment to the city.

Mark Parmerlee (center) with his sons, including Michael (left), showcasing the family’s presence and playful nature against the backdrop of Golden Chick’s core values.

Mark Parmerlee: The Builder and CEO of Golden Chick

Mark Parmerlee is the President/CEO/Chairman of Golden Tree Restaurants, the parent company of the Golden Chick brand. Starting his career as a dishwasher, Mark purchased Golden Fried Chicken in 1989 and has guided the concept through multiple evolutions over 36 years.

Today, under Mark’s leadership, Golden Chick employs over 6,254 people and is on track to surpass 250 locations by 2025. His tenure is defined by prioritizing franchisee profitability, food safety, and advancing training programs.

Anchoring Golden Chick in Richardson

Mark made the critical decision early on to place the company headquarters in Richardson. Believing in the city’s schools, location, and its “big small-town feel,” the family eventually purchased all five buildings in the Arapaho Gardens complex, anchoring the company permanently in the city. Mark’s sons attended Spring Valley, Westwood, and Richardson High School (RHS), solidifying his commitment to RISD.

The executive leadership team of Golden Tree Restaurants in front of a display detailing “The Golden Chick Story,” emphasizing the brand’s long-standing history and resilience.

A Life of Charitable Giving and Service

Mark consistently ties Golden Chick’s presence to local support. The Arapaho location’s popular funnel cake fundraiser donates fifty cents of each sale to nearby schools. Mark has been a champion of youth leadership through Scouting, serving as Scoutmaster and currently on the Executive Board of Circle 10 Council. As co-founder of the Sporting Clays Invitational, he has helped raise over $7 million for ScoutReach, supporting underserved youth.

Mark Parmerlee and the Golden Chick team proudly present a $30,022 check to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Harvey Relief, exemplifying the company’s commitment to large-scale charitable support across the regio

Mark’s guiding principle is simple: “Be honest. Be respectful. Be caring.”

Resilient Leader and Future Philanthropist

A little-known fact is that Mark is a two-time liver transplant recipient, with his last transplant occurring more than twenty years ago. Despite his resilience, Mark is preparing the company for his eventual retirement to focus on travel, landscaping, his ranch, and, most importantly, philanthropy. He plans to give back more time, not just support from a distance.

Michael Parmerlee: The Connector and Civic Leader

If Mark is the builder, then Michael Parmerlee is the connector—the person who shows up reliably across Richardson’s civic landscape. Michael forged his own path through community service before joining Golden Tree Restaurants as President and Associate General Counsel of GFC Leasing Corp, LLC.

Michael’s extensive local involvement includes:

• Immediate Past President of Richardson East Rotary Club and current Assistant Governor for Rotary District 5810.
• Board Member of the Richardson Family YMCA.
• Active member of the Leadership Richardson Alumni Association and Advisory Board Member.
• An enthusiastic alum of Leadership Richardson (LR) Class 33.

Michael Parmerlee, a dedicated Rotarian, attending a community event alongside the Golden Chick mascot, demonstrating the fusion of his business and civic life.

Michael emphasizes that he chooses organizations based on the people he serves with: “Service is most meaningful when you’re surrounded by people you enjoy and respect.” He loves Richardson for its transit lines, accessibility, the presence of UTD, and the community’s understanding that a great city requires contribution.

A Shared Legacy and Future Vision

While Mark is eyeing retirement, Michael is in expansion mode. Both leaders are guiding Golden Tree Restaurants into new real estate ventures, including potential new Golden Chick locations within the city.

Philanthropically, Michael is deepening his involvement with Rotary, including adding international service with an upcoming trip to Camaguey, Cuba, to help build a baseball field.

The long-term vision is a Parmerlee family foundation. This foundation would allow them to take their decades of combined giving and civic network and scale their philanthropic work, providing a structured, long-term investment in the city that raised them.

The Parmerlees are not just building a legacy; they are building momentum. Mark anchored the company in Richardson decades ago, and Michael is now one of the key leaders shaping what Richardson will look like in the next decade.