Houston TX Hot Chicken, a fast-growing American fried chicken chain, is set to open its first UK restaurant in Stevenage this autumn, with plans for dozens more across Britain. The expansion is part of a partnership with PizzaExpress.
Expansion Plans
Two additional sites are scheduled to launch in 2026, followed by 50 more locations over the following three years. Further details on locations and opening dates are expected in the coming weeks.
About the Brand
Founded in 2021 by Edmond Barseghian, Houston TX Hot Chicken has become one of the fastest-growing Nashville hot chicken brands in the US, with restaurants in Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Texas, Utah, Idaho, Michigan, and Ohio.
The menu features buttermilk-marinated, cooked-to-order chicken, including sandwiches, tenders, nuggets, Belgian waffles, loaded fries, salads, house-made lemonades, and its signature house sauce. Its best-known item is the Original Hot Chicken Sandwich, available in various spice levels. The hottest option, the "Houston, We Have a Problem!" challenge, is a two-million Scoville unit sandwich requiring customers to sign a waiver.
Partnership and Leadership
Brian Simowitz, president of Houston TX Hot Chicken, said: "Working with PizzaExpress to expand internationally is exciting. No one knows fried chicken better than HHC, and no one knows the UK better than PizzaExpress. We're ready to bring something unexpected to UK consumers."
Paula MacKenzie, Group CEO of PizzaExpress, said: "We're thrilled to add Houston TX Hot Chicken to our brands. It brings bold flavour, real energy, and an experience that stands apart."
Andrew K. Smith, managing director of Savory Fund, which backs Houston TX Hot Chicken, said: "HHC has built something rare with genuine cultural energy. Taking that to the UK through PizzaExpress, with their scale and market knowledge, accelerates the brand's trajectory. This is a significant moment."
