Urban Bird Hot Chicken Targeted Athens Expansion
The Houston-based fast-casual chain is seeking franchise operators to bring its halal chicken concept to the Georgia city.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Dining Out
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Urban Bird Hot Chicken has identified Athens as a potential market for its first expansion outside of Texas. The company is actively recruiting franchise operators across Georgia to establish the brand in the city.
Why it matters
The company believes Athens is a prime location for its growth due to the citys large student population, younger demographics, and active local dining scene. This move marks the chain's first major step in evaluating markets beyond its home base in Houston.
Founded in 2020, the Houston-based chain serves a menu of halal hot chicken tenders, sandwiches, smash burgers, and waffles. Scoville Hot Chicken previously operated in downtown Athens for 16 months starting in 2021.
The players
Urban Bird Hot Chicken
This Houston-based fast-casual restaurant chain specializes in halal-certified hot chicken dishes.
Brandon Gawthorp
He is one of the co-founders who established the restaurant chain in 2020.
Chantel Fiaschetti
She serves as a co-founder of the restaurant chain alongside Brandon Gawthorp.
The details
The restaurant chain specializes in halal hot chicken and also offers loaded fries and milkshakes to its customers. Future entry into the local market depends on the company successfully identifying both a suitable physical location and a qualified franchise operator.
Timeline
The restaurant chain was established in 2020.
Scoville Hot Chicken began its 16-month run in downtown Athens in 2021.
Culture Shift
The expansion strategy mirrors the broader industry trend where fast-casual brands prioritize college towns to capture younger, high-density demographics. This move positions the chain to compete for the student-driven market share that previously supported similar hot chicken concepts in the area.
Residents may soon see new franchise opportunities or local employment openings if the brand secures a downtown location. For diners, this represents the potential addition of a new halal-focused fast-casual option in the city's active restaurant landscape.
The takeaway
The chain is currently in the evaluation phase as it looks to scale its operations outside of its Texas home state. Potential local operators should keep an eye on official franchise announcements as the company continues its search for a partner in Georgia.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, see Athens Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Athens Banner-Herald.
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