Nashville hot chicken is among the fastest-growing categories in American fast casual. On September 4, Angry Chickz opens its 46th location nationwide in Aurora, Illinois, marking the brand’s first presence in the Midwest. Founded in Los Angeles in 2018, the fast food franchise chain has built a multi-state footprint through corporate and franchise units and earned consistent recognition across industry sector rankings.
Angry Chickz was founded by David Mkhitaryan in 2018, starting from a 900-square-foot storefront in the East Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The brand has since expanded into a multi-state operation built around hand-breaded chicken tenders, sliders, and bowls, with heat levels ranging from “Country,” carrying no heat, to “Angry,” which requires guests to sign a waiver before ordering.
The chain grows through a combination of corporate-owned and franchised units. The Aurora location, at 1167 N. Eola Rd., Suite 101, is the brand’s first address in Illinois.
The Angry Chickz
Hot Chicken. Hotter Flavors
- Restaurant
- 30
- Liquid capital: $Not disclosed
Angry Chickz Opens in Aurora With Day-One Giveaways
The Aurora grand opening begins at 11 a.m. on September 4. Angry Chickz has announced two on-site promotions to mark the occasion:
- The first 100 guests receive a limited-edition Angry Chickz jersey.
- The first 500 guests who register on-site are entered for a chance to win “Angry Chickz for a Year,” with additional food prizes distributed throughout the day.
The Fox Valley opening follows the brand’s recent debut in Kingston, Pennsylvania, its first East Coast unit, and continues a pattern of entry into new geographic regions. The Aurora location will be operated as part of the brand’s mix of corporate-owned and franchised restaurants, the model Angry Chickz has applied across its national expansion since 2018.
Nashville Hot Chicken Drives Ongoing Fast-Casual Expansion
Nashville hot chicken has become one of the most active growth categories in US fast casual, with multiple concepts accelerating their unit counts over the past several years. Operators in the segment cite strong consumer repeat-visit behavior and compact kitchen formats as factors that support scalability across both urban and suburban markets.
Angry Chickz has drawn significant industry attention within this trend. The brand holds a No. 44 ranking on QSR Magazine‘s Top 50 Contenders list and a No. 410 position on Franchise Times‘ Top 400. It has also received Nation’s Restaurant News‘ Hot Concepts Award, appeared on Fast Casual‘s “2026 Top 100” and “Top Movers and Shakers” lists, and was named one of QSR‘s “Nine Franchisors to Watch.”
Angry Chickz Eyes Broader Midwest Presence
The company frames the Aurora opening as the start of a broader Midwest presence rather than a standalone market entry. Angry Chickz has not publicly disclosed specific unit targets or a development timeline for additional Illinois or regional locations. The brand’s expansion has proceeded through a combination of corporate-operated restaurants and franchise development, a structure that has remained consistent as it has entered new states.
Company communications describe the brand’s focus on neighborhood restaurant formats and off-premise efficiency as central elements of its growth model. Prospective franchisees can find current development information directly from the brand at AngryChickz.com.
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