HCK Hot Chicken

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HCK Hot Chicken

Food & Beverage
Chicken

HCK Hot Chicken Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

HCK Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, offering bold flavors and customizable heat levels for spice lovers.

HCK Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken. Founded in 2020 in Woodbridge, Virginia, by Mike Sarago, his son Anthony Sarago, and Chef Frederic Gilmore, the brand quickly gained popularity for its bold flavors and creative spice levels.

The company is headquartered in Woodbridge and began franchising in 2022. HCK’s menu is centered around its signature Nashville Style Chicken Sandwich, served on a toasted potato bun with HCK’s proprietary GOOD sauce, house-fried chicken, and pickles.

Customers can select from four spice levels: Base, After Burner, Angry Hot, and Medic. The restaurant also offers wings, tenders, chicken & waffles, and loaded fries, all made with fresh ingredients and unique house-made sauces.

What differentiates HCK Hot Chicken is its simplicity and dedication to quality. With a focused menu of in-demand items and fast service, the brand ensures consistent customer satisfaction. Its emphasis on customizable spice levels and bold, Southern-inspired flavors makes it stand out in the growing hot chicken segment.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000 - $40,000
Travel/Living Expenses for Training $3,000 - $6,000
Real estate/rent and deposit $5,000 - $20,000
Leasehold Improvements $40,000 - $270,000
Buildout Management $0 - $20,000
Equipment and Small Wares $30,000 - $130,000
Mill Works and Furniture $10,000 - $50,000
Signage $5,000 - $20,000
Computer System $6,000 - $8,000
Office Supplies $500 - $2,500
Licenses and Permits (not including liquor license) $1,000 - $7,000
Legal and Accounting $1,000 - $6,000
Dues and Subscriptions $500 - $1,000
Utility Deposits $0 - $2,500
Insurance $2,500 - $10,000
Initial Inventory $6,000 - $10,000
Grand Opening Marketing Spend $20,000 - $20,000
On-Site Training Fee $5,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $30,000 - $60,000
Total $205,500 - $688,000
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000 - $40,000
Travel/Living Expenses for Training $3,000 - $6,000
Real estate/rent and deposit $5,000 - $20,000
Leasehold Improvements $40,000 - $270,000
Buildout Management $0 - $20,000
Equipment and Small Wares $30,000 - $130,000
Mill Works and Furniture $10,000 - $50,000
Signage $5,000 - $20,000
Computer System $6,000 - $8,000
Office Supplies $500 - $2,500
Licenses and Permits (not including liquor license) $1,000 - $7,000
Legal and Accounting $1,000 - $6,000
Dues and Subscriptions $500 - $1,000
Utility Deposits $0 - $2,500
Insurance $2,500 - $10,000
Initial Inventory $6,000 - $10,000
Grand Opening Marketing Spend $20,000 - $20,000
On-Site Training Fee $5,000 - $5,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $30,000 - $60,000
Total $205,500 - $688,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

HCK Hot Chicken provides a structured training program to equip franchisees with the necessary operational skills. The training program includes several components designed to ensure consistent quality and service standards across all locations. These are tailored to both initial and ongoing needs of the franchise operation.

  1. Initial Training for Three Individuals
    HCK Hot Chicken offers initial training at no cost for up to three individuals per franchise, provided they attend the same session.
  2. Additional Training or Assistance
    For extra participants or special sessions (e.g., refresher or advanced courses), the franchisor charges between $500 and $1,000 per person per week depending on the trainer's expertise and the scope of training.
  3. Certification Training
    The company provides one certification at no charge for the training and restaurant managers. For additional certifications, the cost is $2,500 per person or $1,000 if conducted at a certified training store.

Territory Protection

HCK Hot Chicken provides territory protection to its franchisees, but with some limitations based on the type of restaurant and agreement. For traditional restaurant franchises, once the franchisor accepts the site, a specific territory is designated for the franchisee.

This designated area is intended to prevent another HCK Hot Chicken franchise from operating within the same territory, providing a level of exclusivity and competitive protection.

However, for non-traditional locations, such as those inside other businesses or unique venues, territory protection may not be granted. The nature of these locations means the franchisor retains the flexibility to approve similar locations in close proximity.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise

Started franchising
2022
Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Franchise fee

?

$40,000
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000
Revenue (AUV)

?

Undisclosed
Upgrade

$0

+
n.a.
n.a.
Operating Profit

?

Upgrade

n.a.

Home based

?

No
Upgrade
No
Passive investment

?

No
Upgrade
No
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Competitors

Below are some of

HCK Hot Chicken

key competitors in the

Chicken

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

5

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$206,000

$688,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$183,000

$995,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

826

New
+
6%
6%

$35,000

$1,445,000

$3,811,000

n.a.

$2,710,000

$xxx,xxx

67.8%

xx%

n.a.

12.8%

xx%

n.a.

41

New
+
-15%
-15%

$50,000

$465,000

$2,536,000

n.a.

$1,852,000

$xxx,xxx

75.4%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

559

New
+
10%
10%

$35,000

$779,000

$3,829,000

n.a.

$2,128,000

$xxx,xxx

70.0%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

69

New
+
64%
64%

$35,000

$933,000

$2,996,000

n.a.

$2,169,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3079

New
+
6%
6%

$50,000

$505,000

$3,923,000

n.a.

$1,824,000

$xxx,xxx

69.0%

xx%

n.a.

12.0%

xx%

n.a.

1

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$50,000

$603,000

$1,323,000

n.a.

$2,107,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$478,000

$834,000

n.a.

$1,073,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$35,000

$363,000

$726,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
200%
200%

$45,000

$452,000

$1,050,000

n.a.

$1,850,000

$xxx,xxx

67.6%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

28

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$109,000

$751,000

n.a.

$1,243,000

$xxx,xxx

57.7%

xx%

n.a.

12.9%

xx%

n.a.

2629

New
+
12%
12%

$10,000

$427,000

$2,340,000

n.a.

$8,742,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

39

New
+
95%
95%

$30,000

$340,000

$616,000

n.a.

$757,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

192

New
+
43%
43%

$30,000

$1,229,000

$4,466,000

n.a.

$2,396,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
-2%
-2%

$25,000

$369,000

$2,881,000

n.a.

$1,484,000

$xxx,xxx

71.3%

xx%

n.a.

12.1%

xx%

n.a.

994

New
+
-8%
-8%

$0

$28,000

$302,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

146

New
+
564%
564%

$40,000

$620,000

$1,963,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

714

New
+
-7%
-7%

$20,000

$644,000

$1,809,000

n.a.

$1,256,000

$xxx,xxx

69.8%

xx%

n.a.

21.5%

xx%

n.a.

101

New
+
-8%
-8%

$75,000

$2,748,000

$4,100,000

n.a.

$3,575,000

$xxx,xxx

72.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

30

New
+
-3%
-3%

$40,000

$408,000

$1,233,000

n.a.

$1,802,000

$xxx,xxx

63.4%

xx%

n.a.

14.9%

xx%

n.a.

54

New
+
0%
0%

$40,000

$1,483,000

$2,000,000

n.a.

$2,659,000

$xxx,xxx

68.7%

xx%

n.a.

10.2%

xx%

n.a.

325

New
+
8%
8%

$40,000

$794,000

$2,686,000

n.a.

$2,063,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
100%
100%

$15,000

$77,000

$440,000

n.a.

$492,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

3558

New
+
-7%
-7%

$45,000

$1,053,000

$3,772,000

n.a.

$1,414,000

$xxx,xxx

66.3%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

194

New
+
1%
1%

$30,000

$821,000

$1,913,000

n.a.

$1,329,000

$xxx,xxx

64.8%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

12

New
+
200%
200%

$30,000

$415,000

$1,132,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

538

New
+
2%
2%

$25,000

$2,450,000

$4,883,000

n.a.

$3,443,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

2154

New
+
28%
28%

$25,000

$298,000

$1,014,000

n.a.

$2,002,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

27

New
+
50%
50%

$37,500

$192,000

$698,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

15

New
+
0%
0%

$35,000

$128,000

$500,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

205

New
+
67%
67%

$45,000

$305,000

$1,289,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

93

New
+
-18%
-18%

$35,000

$517,000

$2,354,000

n.a.

$1,686,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

11

New
+
175%
175%

$35,000

$628,000

$1,427,000

n.a.

$2,116,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

21

New
+
0%
0%

$25,000

$358,000

$2,699,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

38

New
+
-19%
-19%

$35,000

$192,000

$795,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$644,000

$2,293,000

n.a.

$1,793,000

$xxx,xxx

65.9%

xx%

n.a.

19.5%

xx%

n.a.

22

New
+
633%
633%

$40,000

$682,000

$1,536,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

13

New
+
-19%
-19%

$50,000

$568,000

$2,529,000

n.a.

$2,151,000

$xxx,xxx

75.5%

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

10

New
+
233%
233%

$30,000

$506,000

$662,000

n.a.

$1,662,000

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

95

New
+
375%
375%

$35,000

$306,000

$518,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

4

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$30,000

$875,000

$2,690,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Chuck's Hot Chicken

Chuck's Hot Chicken is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken. It offers a menu centered around spicy fried chicken, catering to customers seeking bold flavors.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$478,000 - $834,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

Angry Chickz

Angry Chickz is a quick-service restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and tenders, known for its bold flavors and spice levels.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$603,000 - $1,323,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

WOW American Eats

WOW American Eats is a fast-casual restaurant franchise offering classic American comfort food, including burgers, wings, and hearty sides.

Franchisees

?

38
+
-19%
-19%
Investment

?

$192,000 - $795,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

HCK Hot Chicken

HCK Hot Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant franchise specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, offering bold flavors and customizable heat levels for spice lovers.

Franchisees

?

5
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$206,000 - $688,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

East Coast Wings + Grill

East Coast Wings + Grill serves a variety of flavorful chicken wings, burgers, and other American fare, offering a casual dining experience with a focus on quality and taste.

Franchisees

?

30
+
-3%
-3%
Investment

?

$408,000 - $1,233,000
Food & Beverage
Chicken

Brown's Chicken

Brown's Chicken serves fried chicken and a variety of homestyle sides, offering a flavorful and satisfying dining experience with a focus on quality ingredients.

Franchisees

?

21
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$358,000 - $2,699,000
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