Houston TX Hot Chicken (HHC) went international as the Las Vegas-based brand opened its first-ever restaurant outside the U.S. in Stevenage, a Hertfordshire town about 30 miles north of London, which will get its own HHC before the year is wrapped. The Oct. 31 arrival brought a whole lot of flavor, a passion for fast cars and a heat scale with some serious horsepower across the pond. Consider the passport officially stamped.
At HHC, the heat starts on the plate, but that’s just the beginning. Think larger-than-life energy, an unapologetic attitude and food that demands your full attention — the formula behind the chain’s growth across nine states. Towering appetites welcome. Timid orders? Also welcome. Expect the same mouth-watering sandwiches, tenders, fully loaded fries, waffles and house-made lemonades American fans already know.
What’s more, the first 100 customers through the doors weren’t just among the earliest in the UK to try HHC. They also got their hands on a free HHC Chicken Sandwich. If that wasn’t enough, that same group was entered into a raffle for the chance to win a PlayStation 5.
At the heart of it all is HHC’s next-level buttermilk-marinated chicken, served with as much spice as you fancy. Pick your order, personalize the heat and make it yours. Keep things comfortable with “Mild,” kick it up a notch with “Spicy” or head straight for “Houston, We Have a Problem!” At 2 million on the Scoville scale (yes, you read that correctly), it even requires a waiver.
For the truly curious, HHC’s famous Spice Challenge also made its UK debut. Challengers faced three tenders coated in the spiciest level, which has gone viral in every new market HHC enters stateside. Anyone planning to attempt it should bring an appetite, and possibly their bravest friend.
“We’re beyond thrilled to have opened our first UK HHC location,” said Paula MacKenzie, group CEO of PizzaExpress. “The UK hasn’t seen anything like HHC before and from their cult Instagram following to sensationally delicious food, HHC Stevenage is set to turn up the heat.”
The opening-day action went beyond the fryer, too. HHC giveaways and launch-day surprises greeted the crowd as Stevenage got its moment in the hot chicken spotlight.
Next on the menu is a second UK opening in December at London’s Brunswick Centre near Russell Square, with a third location still under wraps. The trio kicked off the Exclusive European Franchise agreement HHC and PizzaExpress announced in June, which calls for 50 UK restaurants over the next three years. Back home, HHC has sold more than 100 franchises, with its U.S. growth backed by Utah-based private equity firm Savory Fund.
For now, all eyes, and appetites, are on Stevenage. Houston, we have liftoff.
Houston TX Hot Chicken Stevenage is now open at Unit 1AA, Stevenage Leisure Park, Kings Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2UA. Doors open at 11 a.m. local time. For hours and more information, visit hhc.co.uk or follow @hhc_uki on Instagram.
For franchise-specific details and information on future franchising opportunities, visit hhc.ooo/franchise#Consultation-Section.
