Amanda is a widow living in Merinac, Kansas, who helps her mother-in-law run Chicken Frannie's. Having married into her own family's rival restaurant at nineteen, she caused a deep rift with her mother, Barbara, who banned her from entering Chicken Mimi's. She serves as an art volunteer at the local elementary school and spends her free time sketching a cartoon chicken named Carleen. She hopes the reality television show will bring positive change to her family and resolve their financial struggles.

Mae is a New York-based social media influencer and organization guru who cohosts a reality show called *Sparkling*. She left Kansas to build a pristine, clutter-free life, deliberately distancing herself from her hometown and her mother's severe hoarding habit. Following a career setback, she returns to Merinac to help her mother compete on *Food Wars*, hoping the exposure will secure her own solo television series.

Barbara is the hardworking owner and operator of Chicken Mimi's. She raised her two daughters alone and maintains a fierce dedication to her family business despite mounting financial pressures. She strictly forbids anyone from entering her home, fiercely guarding a severe hoarding habit that creates ongoing friction with her children.

Sabrina is the charismatic host and producer of the reality show *Food Wars*. She presents a warm, cheerful, and approachable demeanor to the restaurant owners to make them feel comfortable in front of the camera. Underneath this friendly exterior, she operates as a calculating producer who actively exploits family tensions and extracts personal secrets to create dramatic television content.

Nancy is Amanda's mother-in-law and the matriarch of the family that runs Chicken Frannie's. Since the tragic death of her husband and son, she has relied heavily on Amanda to keep the business running. She wants to expand the restaurant to fulfill the dreams of the men in her family.

Jay is Mae's husband and a professional restaurant consultant living in New York City. He values sentimental items and family connections, often clashing with his wife over her obsessive need to throw away clutter. He grows increasingly frustrated by Mae's intense control over their home environment and her secretive attitude regarding her family in Kansas.

Andy is the new fry cook at Chicken Mimi's. He brings a fresh, calm presence to the restaurant and strikes up a flirtatious dynamic with Amanda. Because he is relatively new to Merinac, he is somewhat removed from the historical family drama, though he quickly becomes entangled in the competition.

Kenneth is Mae's childhood best friend who moved back to Merinac to care for his father. He co-owns a local coffee shop with his husband, Patrick, and serves as a friendly, grounding presence in the town. He actively helps promote the restaurants on social media and provides a neutral space for the sisters.

Gus is Amanda and Frank's teenage son. He is observant and highly supportive of his mother's artistic endeavors, actively encouraging her to share her drawings. He spends much of his free time hanging out at Chicken Frannie's.

Frankie is Amanda and Frank's young daughter. She is opinionated and highly aware of the family dynamics, frequently encouraging her mother to look presentable and build a life outside of the family restaurant.

Ryder is Mae and Jay's young son. He travels to Merinac with his mother and is deeply attached to a stuffed chicken toy that his aunt Amanda gifted him as a baby, a fact that frustrates his clutter-averse mother.

Madison is Mae and Jay's young daughter who travels with her mother to Kansas. She finds herself fascinated by the animals at her grandmother's house.

Frank is Amanda's deceased husband and Nancy's son. He died in a car accident alongside his own father. Though not present in the main action of the story, his legacy binds Amanda to Chicken Frannie's and fuels the ongoing tension between the two families.

Patrick is Kenneth's husband who helps run their local coffee shop and bakery. He possesses strong baking skills and assists Barbara by making pies for Mimi's dinner service when she becomes overwhelmed.

Zeus is the dishwasher at Chicken Mimi's. He helps clean and prepare the restaurant for the television cameras and remains loyal to Barbara despite her strict management style.

Lolly is Mae's friend and cohost on the home-organization reality show *Sparkling* in New York City. She remains in contact with Mae regarding television opportunities.

Simon Rideaux is a celebrity chef who comes to Merinac to serve as a judge for the *Food Wars* competition. During his visit, he asks Amanda pointed questions about her happiness, prompting her to evaluate her life choices.

John Calvin is a local farmer who supplies chickens to the restaurants in Merinac. He becomes unwittingly involved in the sisters' sabotage attempts during the competition.