Houston TX Hot Chicken plots U.K. expansion
Houston TX Hot Chicken announces U.K. expansion with 50 units planned over three years.
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Houston TX Hot Chicken has signed a master franchise agreement with PizzaExpress to open 50 units in the U.K. over the next three years, starting with three this year. This marks the brand's first international expansion, having approximately 30 units across the U.S.
Why It Matters
This expansion indicates potential territory availability and growth opportunities for multi-unit operators interested in international markets. The partnership with a recognized U.K. operator may enhance unit economics as the brand seeks to establish itself overseas.
Houston TX Hot Chicken has officially announced its first international expansion into the United Kingdom by signing a master franchise agreement with PizzaExpress, a prominent casual dining operator with nearly 500 restaurants across the U.K. and Ireland. Per the agreement, PizzaExpress plans to launch three Houston TX Hot Chicken locations this year, with a total of 50 units expected to be operational within three years.
Brian Simowitz, president of Houston TX Hot Chicken, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Working with the PizzaExpress team to expand for the first time internationally is truly a milestone moment for us. No one knows fried chicken better than HHC, and no one knows the UK market better than PizzaExpress, making this the perfect partnership. We can’t wait to fly the coop and land in the UK, bringing something unexpected and exciting to chicken consumers.”
Founded in 2021 and based in Las Vegas, Houston TX Hot Chicken currently operates around 30 units across nine states and is backed by the private-equity firm Savory Fund, which also supports other brands like Swig and Mo’ Bettahs. The brand's expansion into the U.K. is in line with a growing trend of U.S.-based chicken chains entering the international market, as other brands such as Dave’s Hot Chicken, Raising Cane’s, and Chick-fil-A have also announced significant U.K. growth plans.
The upcoming expansion suggests robust system health and demonstrates the brand's confidence in its appeal outside of the U.S. market. The partnership with a well-established operator like PizzaExpress indicates a strategic move to leverage local market expertise for successful entry. The deal's structure and rapid ramp-up timeline reflect a strong commitment to expansion and could signal a broader trend of U.S. casual dining brands making similar international strides.
Looking ahead, the pace of Houston TX Hot Chicken's growth in the U.K. may depend on how effectively PizzaExpress can execute the rollout of the new locations amidst the competitive landscape of international fast-casual dining.
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