Franchising

Daddy's Chicken Shack hatching in Florida

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August 25, 2022

Daddy's Chicken Shack, which has two locations open and 80 in development, has signed an agreement with Florida businessman Ed Zausch and his wife, Gayla, to open 20 locations throughout Orlando and Daytona Beach.

"Given our professional backgrounds, my wife and I have been seeking a new business venture that brings together both our skill sets and our passion for entrepreneurship," Ed Zausch said in a company press release. "After meeting the Daddy's team and trying the products ourselves, we knew we wanted to be an early addition to this fast-growing concept."

Gayla Zausch's family has owned and operated a variety of restaurants, giving the husband-and-wife duo a well-rounded understanding of the ins and outs of running a successful operation from all fronts. Ed Zausch's background in infrastructure and utility business ownership will be helpful when selecting sites, Pace Webb, who serves as CEO and leads the brand with Chris Georgalas, her husband and president of the brand, said in the release.

The couple aims to open the first of its 20 locations as soon as possible, predicting early 2023 for an opening date.

"We're absolutely thrilled to see the Daddy's brand expand into a new state. Florida will no doubt be a catalyst for our East Coast expansion, and with how rapidly the brand is expanding, this announcement couldn't come at a better time," Pace Webb said in the release. "Ed and Gayla are the perfect duo to introduce Daddy's to the Florida market. With it being such a key growth market for us, we're honored to have the Zausch family spearhead this new initiative and I look forward to having them with us for many years to come."

The agreement comes just two weeks after the Dahlstrom family signed a 20-unit development deal split between Colorado and Texas.

Launching in 2018, Daddy's business model is entrenched in technology, offering online ordering, app engagement, in-store web-enabled tech, exclusive pick-up areas and third-party delivery partnerships.