Azzurri Group, the UK restaurant operator owned by private equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners, is exploring a potential sale of the UK and European franchise rights for Dave’s Hot Chicken, according to a report by Bloomberg citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.
A process could launch later this year, the people said, requesting anonymity because the discussions are private.
Azzurri secured the master franchise for the brand in the UK and Ireland in 2024, outlining plans to open as many as 60 locations. It subsequently expanded the agreement, obtaining exclusive franchise rights across ten European markets, according to company filings.
Founded in 2017 by three friends who launched the concept from a parking lot in East Hollywood, Dave’s Hot Chicken has since grown rapidly through a franchise-led model. The fast-casual chain focuses on Nashville-style chicken sliders, tenders and crinkle-cut fries with a range of spice levels.
