US-based fast-casual chain Houston TX Hot Chicken (HHC) has entered a master franchise agreement with PizzaExpress to debut in the UK.
The arrangement will see three HHC outlets open in the UK in 2026. The partners also plan to expand to 50 sites nationwide over the next three years.
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HHC president Brian Simowitz said: “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.
“We can’t wait to fly the coop and land in the UK, bringing something unexpected and exciting to chicken consumers.”
Meanwhile, PizzaExpress, which operates close to 500 restaurants across the UK and Ireland, will add HHC to its portfolio of concepts.
PizzaExpress Group CEO Paula MacKenzie said: “We’re thrilled to add HHC to our house of brands, bringing something truly distinctive to the UK market: bold flavour, real energy and an experience that stands apart.”
Launched in 2021, HHC currently operates in nine US states. The brand has already sold more than 100 franchise units across its domestic market.
Its growth in the US was backed by investment from Savory Fund, a Utah-based private equity entity whose portfolio includes restaurant concepts such as Swig and Mo’ Bettahs.
HHC’s menu features items such as chicken nuggets, fries, hot chicken sandwiches, tenders and waffles, as well as a range of sauces.
The UK launch represents the brand’s first international expansion following domestic growth.
In January this year, HHC signed 26 franchise agreements to support its expansion across four US states.
