Hot Chicken Takeover merging with other concept, changing name outside Ohio

Following its acquisition by Craveworthy Brands, Hot Chicken Takeover is merging with another of the restaurant group’s concepts, and will undergo a name change in new stores outside of the Buckeye State..

According to Craveworthy CEO Gregg Majewski, the longtime Columbus chicken spot will merge with Budlong Southern Chicken, an existing Craveworthy restaurant serving Southern-inspired chicken.

Outside of the Buckeye State, the brand will be known as HCT: Southern Chicken.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

According to Majewski, relying on the HCT acronym alone outside of Ohio was in part due to the sheer length of the name, but also came from Craveworthy’s concerns about longevity.

“There’s the potential that hot chicken is a fad, in the long term,” he told 614Now. “We want it to stand the test of time.” 

While patrons may notice Southern Chicken in Hot Chicken Takeover’s local advertising, the concept will retain its name—without any acronym— in all current and future Ohio stores.

While Majewski said there’s still “so much work to be done” to help the brand reach its potential, he’s optimistic about what’s to come,

“The future  of the brand is bright as hell. We’re extremely excited about it; for the passion that both concepts have,” he said. “The nation is going to love that passion.”

Want to read more? Check out our print publications, (614) Magazine and Stock & Barrel. Learn where you can find free copies of our newest issues here!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY