Growing national franchise Dave’s Hot Chicken entered Pennsylvania in 2023, joining fellow franchises Hangry Joe’s and Nanu’s Hot Chicken and small independent chains such as Hotchikn, OK Hot Chicken and Hot Clucks.
The presence of more Nashville-style hot chicken restaurants doesn’t alarm Eric May. Instead, the new franchisee for Angry Chickz said he’s encouraged by the clear demand for spicy fried chicken sandwiches and tenders.
“Openings of competitors have been very strong in the market, and I think that’s indicative of the whole industry and consumers moving to more hot chicken,” said Eric May, who with sister Heather May signed an area development agreement to open Angry Chickz units across much of Pennsylvania. “We’re happy to be part of the early stage of expanding this brand.”
Angry Chickz got its start in 2018 when David Mkhitaryan opened the first location in Los Angeles. It’s up to 28 units, most of them in California, and is leaning heavily on its adventurous brand identity as it pushes franchise expansion.
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The food, though, is what hooked the Mays. Angry Chickz, said Eric, offers “best-in-class product quality” with its array of fried chicken offerings plus sides such as mac and cheese. The heat levels, which go up to waiver-required “Angry,” still allow an “incredible flavor” to shine, noted Heather, and don’t simply scorch the mouth.
“David’s culinary vision has really led to an incredible product,” said Heather. Mkhitaryan, the story goes, was a cook at his family’s restaurant, and after trying Nashville hot chicken for the first time in 2017 he spent a year perfecting his own recipe.
Angry Chickz is the third franchise for the sibling duo, who lead Dallas, Pennsylvania-based May Brands and operate 15 Dunkin’ stores and three Jersey Mike’s locations. Their fourth Jersey Mike’s will open this year, and May Brands also includes Pen Fern Oil and convenience store chain Pen-Mart.
The simplicity of Angry Chickz’s operations was another selling point, said Eric, and the siblings each touted the experience of the brand’s leadership team, which includes former Panera, Mountain Mike’s Pizza and Jinya Ramen execs.
“We spoke to several other brands and we had almost an instant connection with Angry Chickz,” said Eric as he acknowledged the decision to sign with an emerging brand meant it had to check all the boxes. “What really put us at ease was Dave and the team he’s put together.”
The Mays will lean on their own operational experience and the infrastructure they’ve created for May Brands as they aim to open their first Angry Chickz this year.
“We’ve built a really strong training program within our own system,” said Eric of their May Brands Academy, which incorporates leadership training. “That gives us an edge. We’re not just training you to make the product.”
A typical Angry Chickz can go into a 2,200- to 3,000-square-foot space. The initial investment range is between $418,000 and $1 million. Average gross sales for 19 locations open at least 10 months as of December 31, 2023, were $1.84 million.