Houston TX Hot Chicken (HHC), the fast-growing restaurant brand known for bold flavors and the world’s hottest chicken, continues to build momentum nationwide, today announcing 26 new franchise commitments across four U.S. markets. The new agreements come in addition to more than 100 franchise units already sold, underscoring the brand’s accelerating growth and deepening development pipeline.
The newly signed agreements include two multi-unit deals in Illinois totaling 11 units, along with five units each in Louisiana, Arkansas, and New York. Together, these commitments reflect strong demand from franchise operators across multiple regions and further validate the brand’s momentum as it scales nationally.
“These agreements represent another important step forward as we continue building a truly national brand,” said Brian Simowitz, President of Houston TX Hot Chicken. “We’re seeing sustained interest from experienced operators across the country, and our development pipeline remains strong as we work toward additional market expansion in the months ahead.”
Founded in 2021 by Edmond Barseghian, HHC has rapidly evolved from a local favorite into one of the hottest concepts in the fast-casual restaurant space. The Nashville-style hot chicken brand currently operates 29 locations across eight states and has cultivated a devoted fanbase of nearly 400,000 followers across its social media platforms. In 2023, HHC entered into a strategic growth partnership with Savory Fund, a Utah-based private equity firm focused on scaling high-potential restaurant concepts.
“This brand was built with performance in mind — from the food to the marketing to the operations,” Barseghian said. “Seeing experienced operators commit across multiple markets confirms we’re scaling the right way and setting the pace for what’s next. We are energized by these operators who recognize the opportunity and are ready to execute alongside us.”
HHC continues to attract franchise partners with its streamlined operations, electric brand energy, and distinctive menu featuring hot chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads, soup, waffle shakes, loaded fries, and eight signature spice levels ranging from “No Spice” to “Buffalo” to the waiver-required “Houston, We Have a Problem!”
As development accelerates, HHC remains focused on supporting franchise partners with comprehensive training, marketing, and operational resources designed to drive long-term success.
For more information on franchise opportunities with Houston TX Hot Chicken, visit HHC.ooo/franchise.
