Franchising

The Red Chickz expanding California footprint

Photo: The Red Chickz

May 16, 2025

Nashville hot chicken chain The Red Chickz is bringing its spicy offerings to Bakersfield, California, through a three-unit franchise agreement with Gurdish Kaur.

"Bakersfield is known for country music and Southern-style food, making it the perfect place to bring our hot chicken," Shawn Lalehzarian, co-founder and CEO of The Red Chickz, said in a company press release. "We're excited to build a lasting footprint across California by introducing The Red Chickz to the residents of Bakersfield."

The Red Chickz, which opened its first location in downtown Los Angeles in 2018, serves seven spice levels of chicken as well as a Honey Butter Sandwich and Nashville Hot Chicken Tacos.

It has five locations in California and Texas, with 28 additional locations in development across Texas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma and New Jersey.