Guthrie’s, an Alabama-based chicken finger restaurant chain whose history goes back to 1965, opened its 31st in-state location today in Vestavia Hills.

The newest Guthrie’s is at 1437 Montgomery Highway, near the Park South Plaza shopping center.

The late Hal Guthrie Sr. started Guthrie’s when he opened a drive-in restaurant that served burgers and barbecue in the Marion County town of Haleyville in 1965, and in 1978, he added the crispy fried chicken fingers with the signature dipping sauce that would make Guthrie’s famous.

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Guthrie’s is now based in Auburn, where one of the founder’s sons, Joe Kelly Guthrie, serves as the CEO of Guthrie’s Franchising Inc.

Including its Alabama restaurants, Guthrie’s has more than 60 locations in 11 states, extending as far west as Idaho and Nevada.

The Vestavia Hills restaurant is the fifth Guthrie’s in the Birmingham metro area, joining locations in Gardendale, Homewood, Trussville and on U.S. 280. A Hoover location has been announced for the former Steak ‘n Shake space.

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“Guthrie’s is proudly rooted in mouthwatering tradition,” Joe Kelly Guthrie said in a media release. “Our heritage is something we take great pride in, and every time we get to deepen our connection to the state where it all began, we jump at the opportunity.

“We’re thrilled to bring the world’s best-tasting chicken fingers and signature Guthrie’s sauce to anyone in the Vestavia Hills community. Anyone looking for a meal made with freshly sourced ingredients is in for a real treat.”

Those golden fried chicken fingers are the only protein on the menu at Guthrie’s, and they are available in a combo with fries, slaw, toast and a drink; on a sandwich with lettuce and Guthrie’s sauce; and by the 25-finger bucket.

The new Vestavia Hills location of Guthrie’s is at 1437 Montgomery Highway. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, go here.