Hot Chicken Takeover closes third central Ohio restaurant under new owner

CLINTONVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hot Chicken Takeover has shuttered another central Ohio location, marking the chain's third closure since it was acquired by a new owner last year.

The Columbus-founded chain announced on July 30 that the Clintonville storefront at 4203 N. High St. is no longer welcoming customers. In a social media post, the brand said, "closing this shop was a tough call, but it's part of a bigger plan to keep growing the right way: with heart, intention, and the kind of hospitality HCT is known for."

"From our first day to our last, you made us feel like family. We’re so grateful for every meal shared and memory made," the post said. "We're beyond grateful for your support in Clintonville and hope to see you at one of our other Columbus locations soon."

Clintonville's location opened in June 2017, and its closure dwindles Hot Chicken Takeover to four central Ohio restaurants in Gahanna, Grandview Heights, the North Market and Westerville. The chain's Easton storefront that stood at 4198 Worth Ave. closed in March, and the Lewis Center eatery at 8715 Owenfield Drive shuttered in January.

The closures come after Untamed Brands, Hot Chicken Takeover's former parent company, was purchased in May 2024 by Craveworthy, which also owns BD's Mongolian Grill, Dirty Dough, Flat Top Grill, Genghis Grill and more. Craveworthy then announced plans to fold Chicago-based chicken concept Budlong into Hot Chicken Takeover.

Since then, Budlong and Hot Chicken Takeover have merged to create a refreshed brand called "HCT: Southern Chicken," Gregg Majewski, founder of Craveworthy and the former CEO of Jimmy Johns, told NBC4 at the time.

However, the chain is remaining as Hot Chicken Takeover in Columbus, though customers may see the "Southern Chicken" branding used in certain parts of the restaurants and in advertising. Majewski explained Budlong's Chicago locations will bear the HCT: Southern Chicken name, as will new eateries outside of central Ohio.

Hot Chicken Takeover then rolled out a new menu last October for central Ohio storefronts that features hand-breaded chicken prepared using a recipe that is similar to how the chicken was made when the brand first launched 10 years ago. Other menu additions include chicken-fried steak, homemade hushpuppies, crispy fried cornbread and sweet hand pies.