In recent years, Nashville hot chicken has been a trending dish that has taken the culinary world by storm. The spiced-up fried chicken dish has become so popular that it has even made its way out of Nashville and into other cities across the United States. However, there’s one particular fast-casual restaurant brand that has taken this dish to new heights in Central Ohio – Hot Chicken Takeover.
Started by Joe DeLoss in 2014 as a food truck, Hot Chicken Takeover is a fast-casual restaurant chain that specializes in Nashville-style hot chicken. The restaurant’s chicken is always locally sourced, humanely raised, and fried to perfection. It is also smothered in spices that make the chicken spicy, bold, and undeniably delicious. Customers have options ranging from mild to extra hot heat levels, and the sides and sauces complement the chicken perfectly.
Hot Chicken Takeover’s food is loved by its customers, but what sets the brand apart is its mission. The restaurant was built on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to succeed, and Joe DeLoss designed the business model to provide opportunities to those that society often overlooks. DeLoss employed formerly incarcerated individuals and provided them with a second chance.
Hot Chicken Takeover has now become a successful franchise, with locations in four different cities, Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Delaware. The restaurant is even considering opening new locations in upcoming years. Along with that, it also operates two HCT-owned businesses – a nonprofit establishment called Make Believe Bakery and a catering company called Birdie Shack.
Hot Chicken Takeover’s success can be attributed not only to the delicious food but also to its unique branding and customer experience. It has a playful and colorful aesthetic that sets them apart from other restaurants. The loud, cheerful music sets an ambiance that makes the customers feel welcomed and excited to eat. Even the team members themselves are part of the experience; each one is friendly and engaging, making sure that the customers have a memorable experience.
The restaurant has also prioritized community involvement and offers several initiatives that give back to the community. Its Pay It Forward program allows customers to add a donation to their orders, which goes towards feeding those who need it most. They also hold events and sponsor causes, making sure that the community is involved and empowered.
As promising as the journey has been so far, the restaurant brand’s future is looking brighter than ever. With the success of its franchise in Ohio, the restaurant is setting sights on spreading its wings across the United States. They are looking for places where their mission to provide job opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals can make a significant impact while showcasing Nashville hot chicken to a broader audience.
Hot Chicken Takeover is a brand that embodies the perfect mix of delicious food, an immersive experience, and a heartwarming mission. This has helped it to grow into a well-known restaurant chain that sets an example for the rest of the industry to follow. It has been a unique brand that has set itself apart by being truly dedicated to the community it holds dear.
In summary, as a Nashville hot chicken lover, the experience of enjoying the fiery, perfectly spiced chicken cannot be understated. And when that experience is coupled with a restaurant that empowers a community and those who work for it, it becomes truly one of a kind. Regardless of where you are in the country, you owe it to yourself to give Hot Chicken Takeover a visit. You will not be disappointed.