Angry Chickz: Igniting Taste Buds with Fiery Nashville Hot Chicken

Founded in 2018 by David Mkhitaryan, Angry Chickz began as a 900-square-foot storefront in East Hollywood, California. Driven by a passion for bold, spicy flavors, Mkhitaryan crafted a unique Nashville hot chicken recipe that quickly gained popularity.

Today, the brand is headquartered in Sherman Oaks, CA, and has expanded to 29 locations across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas.

Angry Chickz offers a streamlined menu featuring chicken tenders, sliders, and bowls, all customizable with varying spice levels—from "Country" (no heat) to "Angry," which requires a signed waiver due to its intense heat. This focus on quality and simplicity has resonated with customers, fueling the brand's rapid growth.

In 2023, Angry Chickz began franchising, aiming to share its fiery flavors with a broader audience. The brand emphasizes a culture-first approach, seeking franchisees who are committed to community engagement and operational excellence.

Training

Angry Chickz offers a structured and multi-layered training program for its franchisees and their staff to ensure consistent brand standards and operational excellence across all locations.

1. Initial Training Program: The franchisor provides an initial training program to four individuals designated by the franchisee, including the Operating Principal, the manager, and a designated Trainer. This program lasts approximately 10 days and includes classroom instruction, hands-on experience, and possibly remote or self-study elements. It is typically conducted at Angry Chickz’s facilities in California.
2. On-Site Opening Assistance: Around the opening of the franchise location, Angry Chickz provides up to five days of on-site training. This includes direct support for operations launch and hands-on guidance to reinforce learning from the initial training. If the company decides to extend training beyond five days, the franchisee will be charged a per-day fee.
3. Ongoing and Additional Training: Periodic and mandatory additional training sessions may be required for both new and existing staff. These sessions can be in-person, online, or self-paced and are aimed at reinforcing standards, adapting to operational changes, or addressing performance issues. Attendance and successful completion of these programs are mandatory and may include associated costs.

Territory protection

Angry Chickz offers its franchisees a defined "Protected Area" where certain competitive restrictions apply. Within this area, and as long as the franchisee is in compliance with all agreements, the franchisor agrees not to authorize or operate another dine-in restaurant using the Angry Chickz brand. The Protected Area is typically defined geographically—often covering a population of around 40,000—but it can be smaller in densely populated urban areas.

However, the Protected Area does not provide full exclusivity. Angry Chickz reserves the right to engage in various operations both within and outside the Protected Area, including through non-traditional venues (like airports or stadiums), online platforms, and other distribution channels.

Franchisees are not protected from catering, delivery, or mobile sales conducted by the franchisor or other franchisees, meaning competitive activity may still affect their territory even without a physical restaurant nearby.