Franchising

Haven Hot Chicken opening 7th location

Photo: Haven Hot

October 20, 2023

Conneticut-based Haven Hot Chicken is opening its seventh store next month in Newington at 12 Fenn Road. The 1200-square-foot restaurant will feature the brand's signature menu of chicken and not chicken, a vegetarian option, ranging from Country (not spicy) to Haven (extremely spicy), along with fries, sides and seasonal limited-time offerings. The brand also operates locations in New Haven, Orange, Norwalk, North Haven and will open later this year in Middletown and Storrs.

"Our entire team is looking forward to bringing our crispy, crunchy, juicy, spicy, delicious Hot and Not Chicken closer to the Hartford area, at a convenient location right off of Route 9 and the Central Connecticut campus," Jason Sobocinski, president and co-founder, said in a company press release. "With limited seating for in-house dining, we will continue to lean into our model recognizing the importance of curbside takeout and UberEats delivery."

The location will participate in the brand's long-term partnership with Connecticut Foodshare, raising funds to help curb food insecurity in the state of Connecticut through "The Great Banana Pudding Drive," donating $1 from the sale of each banana pudding to the organization. To date, Haven Hot Chicken has donated over $30,000 to the organization, helping feed over 60,000 people.

Last month, Haven Hot Chicken won the The Perfect Pitch competition at the 2023 Fast Casual Executive Summit in Louisville. Following a global contest, it was one of three brands that competed for the cash prize and the title on Oct. 9. Executives from the three companies addressed summit attendees as well as a panel of advisers, who offered advice on how to grow their concepts.

In the end, the brand took home the Audience Choice Award and the Judges' Choice Award.

"We've got a stellar team of like-minded, gritty and hungry — not just for chicken — but for successful individuals," Sobocinski said at the Summit.