The final Thursday of January has arrived, and with it comes a fresh offering from the Epic Games Store that lets players channel their inner Gus Fring. Starting today, January 29, 2026, PC gamers can claim the management simulator Definitely Not Fried Chicken for free. This dark, humorous twist on the tycoon genre replaces last week's giveaways and is available to download and keep forever if claimed before February 5.

A 'Breaking Bad' Simulator for Strategy Fans

Developed by Dope Games and published by Merge Games, Definitely Not Fried Chicken (DNFC) is a business management simulation with a criminal underbelly. On the surface, you are managing legitimate businesses like fast-food joints, laundromats, and donut shops. However, these establishments serve merely as fronts for a sprawling narcotics empire. The game tasks players with balancing the dual needs of running a clean, legal storefront while overseeing the production and distribution of illegal substances in the backrooms and basements.

The comparison to Breaking Bad is undeniable and intentional. Much like the show's iconic Los Pollos Hermanos, your fried chicken franchise is the perfect cover. You must design layouts, manage staff schedules, and ensure your legal customers are satisfied with their crispy drumsticks, all while your "special" inventory is being processed just a few feet away. This management sim deal offers a level of complexity that goes beyond standard tycoon games, requiring players to juggle supply chains, employee morale, and the constant threat of rival cartels or police raids.

Gameplay Mechanics: Chicken and Chaos

At its core, Definitely Not Fried Chicken is about optimization. Players start small, perhaps with a single laundromat or chicken shack, and expand into a city-wide empire. The gameplay loop involves purchasing adjacent plots of land to build production facilities for marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Each drug line requires different equipment and staff expertise.

What makes this title stand out among free PC games in January 2026 is the necessity of the legal front. You cannot simply sell drugs; you must launder the dirty money through your clean businesses. If your legitimate business fails, your illegal operation has no way to process its profits. This creates a compelling tension where you might find yourself stressing just as much over a broken deep fryer as a botched drug delivery.

How to Claim Your Free Copy

Securing your copy of Definitely Not Fried Chicken is straightforward. Follow these steps to take advantage of this Epic Games giveaway today:

  • Navigate to the Epic Games Store website or open the desktop launcher.
  • Scroll down to the "Free Games" section on the homepage.
  • Select Definitely Not Fried Chicken to open its store page.
  • Click the blue "Get" button and proceed through the checkout process (the price will be $0.00).
  • Once completed, the game is permanently added to your library.

Remember, this offer is time-sensitive. You have until next Thursday, February 5, to add the title to your collection. After that date, it will return to its standard retail price, likely around $25.

System Requirements and Performance

For those looking to dive into this Breaking Bad inspired game, the system requirements are relatively modest, making it accessible for most modern PC setups. Since its full release following Early Access in 2023, the game has been optimized to run smoothly on mid-range hardware.

Minimum Specifications:

  • OS: Windows 10 or later
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-4590 or AMD FX-8350
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 580
  • Storage: 2 GB available space

The game features a distinctive voxel art style that adds a layer of charm to its gritty subject matter. This aesthetic choice not only gives the game a unique visual identity but also ensures that building your empire—placing walls, furniture, and machinery—feels tactile and satisfying.

Why You Should Download It Now

January has been a strong month for best gaming deals, and this final offering caps it off perfectly. Definitely Not Fried Chicken received praise for its deep management systems and dark humor during its launch window. While some initial reviews cited a steep learning curve, updates over the years have refined the experience, adding quality-of-life features that make managing your empire more intuitive.

Whether you are a fan of SimCity looking for something edgier, or a Breaking Bad enthusiast wanting to test your skills as a kingpin, this freebie is worth the download. Don't miss out on one of the most unique Epic Games Store free games of 2026 so far. Claim it, build your fronts, and remember: it's definitely not just about the fried chicken.