Our Story

In the fall of 2013, we experienced Nashville’s famous hot chicken culture for the first time. The taste, the smells, the mix of people in the restaurants – we were instantly hooked. When we returned, we experimented non-stop.

Night after night, we tested out new twists on our own hot chicken recipe. Soon we started serving friends of friends and then we finally served our first group of strangers (in a random parking lot, if you can believe it).

Just months after that trip, we opened up a small pop-up chicken window in Olde Towne East. Every weekend we’d sell until the chicken ran out. We also began fulfilling our vision to hire men and women in need of supportive employment.

Today, Hot Chicken Takeover has six restaurants in Columbus, Ohio and one location in the Cleveland area that strives to create a sense of belonging, engagement and enthusiasm in each and every one.

We attract an eclectic mix of customers and build community around long shared tables. So when you come, be ready to introduce yourself and have a good time. Hot Chicken Takeover is about way more than food. Want to know more about our mission? Check here.

We’ll see you soon!