PONKO Chicken is giving its opening a do-over in Decatur. Having quietly debuted in July, at 312 Church St., the fast-casual Japanese-American restaurant franchise later this month will host “Grand Opening 2.0.,” featuring “socially distant and family-friendly outdoor entertainment,” according to a press release Wednesday.

Kicking off at 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, the event will feature live music performances on an outdoor stage by DJ Fernando F, RUNAGROUND, and Prince tribute band Purple Madness. Decatur Mayor Patti Garret will be in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and there will be giveaways, prizes, and local vendors.

“PONKO’s mission is connecting cultures and cultivating happiness, one chicken tender at
a time,” Johnny Esposito, owner of PONKO Decatur and Midtown, said in the release. “Being part of the Decatur community is a wonderful opportunity to connect friends and neighbors through our food. Having a grand opening like this is really more about bringing the neighborhood together in a safe way that allows people to enjoy one another.”