COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Just months after Hot Chicken Takeover permanently closed its location in Lewis Center, its eatery at Easton has met the same fate. 

Hot Chicken Takeover’s Easton storefront, located at 4198 Worth Ave., permanently closed on March 10, according to a spokesperson with the shopping center. The Easton location of the Columbus-founded chicken chain had been open since November 2017. The closure comes just a few months after Hot Chicken Takeover’s Lewis Center eatery at 8715 Owenfield Drive permanently shut down.

Hot Chicken Takeover saw a change in ownership last year. Untamed Brands, Hot Chicken Takeover’s former parent company, was purchased by Craveworthy Brands in May. Craveworthy also owns BD’s Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill and more.

Craveworthy told NBC4 in a statement that the decision to close Hot Chicken Takeover at Easton was “incredibly difficult but necessary” as the company made “strategic choices” that support its long-term vision.

“This reflects our renewed commitment to operational excellence and delivering exceptional hospitality that Hot Chicken Takeover is known for,” a spokesperson said. “We are focusing on running profitable restaurants that allow us to grow sustainably across the country while staying true to what makes Hot Chicken Takeover so special right here in Columbus.”

Shortly after acquiring Hot Chicken Takeover, Craveworthy announced plans to merge Chicago-based chicken concept Budlong and Hot Chicken Takeover together, creating a refreshed brand called “HCT: Southern Chicken.” However, throughout the Columbus area, the brand chose to keep the original Hot Chicken Takeover name.

Known for its chicken sandwiches, the chain also serves chicken tenders, plant-based nuggets and sides such as mac and cheese, fries and coleslaw.

In October, Hot Chicken Takeover rolled out a new menu, featuring hand-breaded chicken made similar to how its chicken was made when brand first launched in 2014. Among the new menu items were chicken-fried steak, homemade hushpuppies, crispy fried cornbread and sweet hand pies.

Hot Chicken Takeover currently has five locations in central Ohio according to its website, including eateries in Downtown Columbus, Grandview, Clintonville, Gahanna and Westerville.