LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) — Hot Chicken Takeover’s new owner has closed one of the chain’s central Ohio locations after two years of business.
The Columbus-founded chain’s Delaware County storefront at 8715 Owenfield Drive in Lewis Center permanently shuttered on Sunday, parent company Craveworthy Brands confirmed to NBC4. Craveworthy, which acquired Hot Chicken Takeover last year, said the decision “was incredibly difficult but necessary as we evaluated the brand’s impact and made strategic choices that support our long-term vision.” Watch a previous NBC4 report on Hot Chicken Takeover in Lewis Center in the video player above.
“This reflects our renewed commitment to operational excellence and delivering exceptional hospitality that Hot Chicken Takeover is known for,” a Craveworthy 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.”
The Lewis Center location opened in November 2022, and its closure dwindles Hot Chicken Takeover to six central Ohio restaurants in Clintonville, Easton, Gahanna, Grandview Heights, the North Market and Westerville. Craveworthy said it “remains committed to creating a space where every visit feels like home, a gathering place to enjoy delicious southern-inspired food.”
Untamed Brands, Hot Chicken Takeover’s former parent company, was purchased in May by Craveworthy, which also owns BD’s Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill and more. Craveworthy then announced plans to fold Chicago-based chicken concept Budlong into Hot Chicken Takeover.
Since then, Budlong and Hot Chicken Takeover have merged to create a refreshed brand called “HCT: Southern Chicken,” Gregg Majewski, founder of Craveworthy and the former CEO of Jimmy Johns, told NBC4 at the time.
However, the chain is remaining as Hot Chicken Takeover in Columbus, though customers may see the “Southern Chicken” branding used in certain parts of the restaurants and in advertising. Majewski explained Budlong’s Chicago locations will soon bear the HCT: Southern Chicken name, as will new eateries outside of central Ohio.
Hot Chicken Takeover then rolled out a new menu in October for central Ohio storefronts that features hand-breaded chicken prepared using a recipe that is similar to how the chicken was made when the brand first launched 10 years ago. Other menu additions include chicken-fried steak, homemade hushpuppies, crispy fried cornbread and sweet hand pies.
