Emily Carter
Daddy's Chicken Shack is a fast-casual franchise founded in 2018 by married couple Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas. The restaurant was born from Webb's catering business, Taste of Pace, where she served fried chicken sliders. The first Daddy's Chicken Shack was a 700-square-foot space in Pasadena, California, and by 2022, the brand had signed its seventh regional development deal, along with eight franchise agreements across several states. As of 2023, Daddy's Chicken Shack has plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years and has 160 locations in the pipeline.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 2018 |
| Founders | Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas |
| Origin location | Pasadena, California |
| Type of food | Southern-inspired comfort food with a focus on buttermilk fried chicken |
| Number of units in development | 120 (as of 2022) |
| Number of locations in the pipeline | 160 |
| Number of franchise agreements | 8 |
| States with franchise agreements | California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, and Florida |
| Number of locations in the greater Denver area in the next five years | 30 |
| First location in Colorado Springs | Expected by the end of 2023 |
| Current owner | Area 15 Ventures |
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What You'll Learn
- Daddy's Chicken Shack was founded in Pasadena, California, in 2018
- The brand has 160 locations in the pipeline
- The company's franchise growth plan began in 2021
- The restaurant's menu features buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches
- The first Daddy's Chicken Shack was a 700-square-foot space with no bathroom
Daddy's Chicken Shack was founded in Pasadena, California, in 2018
Daddy's Chicken Shack, a fast-casual franchise offering Southern-inspired comfort food, was founded in Pasadena, California, in 2018. The restaurant was founded by married couple Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas, with Webb, a caterer, building the brand around her popular fried chicken sliders. The name "Daddy's" was inspired by Webb's father, who she joked would one day be able to hang out at the Venice Pier, wear Hawaiian shirts, and fry chicken.
The first Daddy's Chicken Shack location was a 700-square-foot space in Pasadena, California, which Webb and Georgalas discovered on Craigslist. Despite the less-than-ideal location, which lacked a bathroom, foot traffic, and seating, the brand quickly gained popularity. By 2022, just four years after its founding, Daddy's Chicken Shack had signed its seventh regional development deal and second in Texas, along with eight franchise agreements across several states.
The brand's rapid growth can be attributed to its crave-worthy product and effective business strategies. Webb's fried chicken sliders, which originated from her catering business, Taste of Pace, drew a crowd and even received praise from actress and singer Mandy Moore. The couple's chemistry and unshakable goal of developing a restaurant that empowers others to excel have also contributed to their success.
As of 2023, Daddy's Chicken Shack has continued its expansion, with plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years. The brand has also attracted the attention of investors, with private-equity firm Area 15 Ventures acquiring full ownership in 2023. With Area 15's investment and support, Daddy's Chicken Shack is poised for further growth and development, scaling the brand to its fullest potential.
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The brand has 160 locations in the pipeline
Daddy's Chicken Shack is a fast-casual franchise that was founded in 2018 by married couple Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas. Webb, a caterer, developed the brand's signature dish—a fried chicken sandwich with sriracha mayo, Thai-style slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and a brioche bun. The brand currently has 160 locations in the pipeline, with plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years.
The first Daddy's Chicken Shack location was in Pasadena, California, and the brand has since expanded rapidly. In 2022, Daddy's Chicken Shack signed its seventh regional development deal and second in Texas, along with eight franchise agreements across California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, and Florida. The brand's pipeline is growing rapidly, with triple-digit numbers. This growth is due in part to the brand's partnership with FranchiseWell, an agency that consults with mega-groups like UPS and IKEA. The investment from Dave Liniger, the co-founder of global real estate franchise RE/MAX, has also been instrumental in Daddy's Chicken Shack's expansion.
Liniger plans to open his first Daddy's location in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his son, Dave Liniger Jr., taking on the role of president of the brand. The brand's franchise growth plan kicked off in 2021 with Area 15 Ventures' investment, and they now have locations in development across Florida, Texas, Colorado, California, Georgia, and Arizona. The first Daddy's Chicken Shack location in Colorado Springs is planned to open by the end of 2023.
Daddy's Chicken Shack offers Southern-inspired comfort food with a focus on buttermilk fried chicken. Their menu includes crispy chicken sandwiches like the original Big Daddy and the Spicy Daddy, as well as other savory favorites such as Daddy's Sunshine Salad, seasoned fries, Nashville fingers, and popcorn chicken. They also offer a hearty breakfast menu with items like breakfast burritos, sandwiches, biscuits, and waffles. The franchise promotes off-premise dining and innovative online ordering, utilizing web-enabled technology for in-store orders.
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The company's franchise growth plan began in 2021
Daddy's Chicken Shack, a fast-casual franchise, was founded in 2018 by married couple Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas. Webb, a caterer, developed the brand's signature dish—a fried chicken sandwich with sriracha mayo, Thai-style slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and a brioche bun. The company's franchise growth plan began in 2021 when private equity firm Area 15 Ventures, owned by RE/MAX co-founder Dave Liniger, made a significant investment.
With this investment, Daddy's Chicken Shack embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy. By 2022, the brand had signed its seventh regional development deal, along with eight franchise agreements across several states, including California, Texas, and Florida. This rapid growth put the company well into the triple digits in terms of franchise units in development.
The investment from Area 15 Ventures played a pivotal role in Daddy's Chicken Shack's expansion. Liniger, who became the brand's chairman, brought his extensive business experience to the table. The firm's investment portfolio includes a diverse range of businesses, and they had already shown interest in the food industry by investing in sandwich brand Port of Subs.
Daddy's Chicken Shack's growth plan focused on expanding its presence across the United States. In 2023, the company announced plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years, with a particular focus on Colorado Springs. This expansion strategy aimed to solidify the brand's presence in the region and tap into new markets.
The company's franchise growth plan, initiated in 2021, set the foundation for Daddy's Chicken Shack's rapid expansion across multiple states. With a strong financial backer in Area 15 Ventures and a popular menu, the brand was well-positioned to capture the interest of franchisees and customers alike, setting the stage for their continued success and future growth.
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The restaurant's menu features buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches
Daddy's Chicken Shack is a fast-casual franchise that was founded in 2018 in Pasadena, California, by Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas. The restaurant's menu features buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches, which were inspired by Webb's popular fried chicken sliders from her catering business, Taste of Pace.
The original menu item that drew a crowd and praise was Webb's fried chicken sandwich with sriracha mayo, Thai-style slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and a brioche bun. From there, the restaurant's menu expanded to include a variety of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and other savory options.
The current menu at Daddy's Chicken Shack features the original Big Daddy and the Spicy Daddy sandwiches, as well as other customer favourites. The Big Daddy is a classic take on the fried chicken sandwich, with a crispy chicken fillet, pickles, and a special sauce on a toasted brioche bun. The Spicy Daddy adds a kick of heat with a spicy mayonnaise and a jalapeno slice.
In addition to these signature sandwiches, Daddy's Chicken Shack offers a range of other options, including Daddy's Sunshine Salad, seasoned fries, Nashville fingers, and popcorn chicken. The restaurant also has a hearty breakfast menu, featuring items such as breakfast burritos, sandwiches, biscuits, and waffles.
The franchise has experienced rapid growth, with plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years. As of 2023, Daddy's Chicken Shack has one open unit in Houston and 160 locations in the pipeline across Florida, Texas, Colorado, California, Georgia, and Arizona. With its focus on buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and a technology-forward concept, Daddy's Chicken Shack has become a popular destination for those craving Southern-inspired comfort food.
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The first Daddy's Chicken Shack was a 700-square-foot space with no bathroom
The first Daddy's Chicken Shack opened in Pasadena, California, in November 2018. The brainchild of married couple Pace Webb and Chris Georgalas, the original restaurant was a 700-square-foot space with no bathroom, foot traffic, seating, or parking. Despite these challenges, Webb and Georgalas persevered, and their unique brand of buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches and Southern-inspired comfort food quickly gained a loyal following.
The story of Daddy's Chicken Shack began a few years earlier, in 2013, when Webb's Los Angeles-based catering company, Taste of Pace, was asked to make fried chicken sliders at an event. Her sandwiches, which featured sriracha mayo, Thai-style slaw, buttermilk fried chicken, and brioche buns, were a huge hit, even garnering praise from actress and singer Mandy Moore. Inspired by this success, Webb called her dad and jokingly mentioned that she had found her retirement plan—running a chicken shack and frying chicken. This conversation gave birth to the name "Daddy's."
The original Daddy's Chicken Shack in Pasadena was more than just a restaurant; it was a labour of love. Webb's father, an artist and graphic designer, played a pivotal role in crafting the interior design of the first location. He helped create an authentic-looking shack that playfully mismatched elements of a house, with windows of random sizes and a door hanging from the dining room ceiling. This unique aesthetic became a signature of the Daddy's Chicken Shack brand.
Starting from humble beginnings, Daddy's Chicken Shack quickly expanded beyond its initial 700-square-foot space. By 2022, just four years after opening, the brand had signed its seventh regional development deal and second in Texas. Along with franchise agreements across several states, Daddy's Chicken Shack boasted an impressive 120 units in development by the end of 2022. This rapid growth continued, and by early 2023, the brand had 160 locations in the pipeline, with plans to open 30 new locations in the greater Denver area over the next five years.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, Daddy's Chicken Shack has 160 locations in the pipeline across the United States.
The first Daddy's Chicken Shack opened in Pasadena, California, in 2018.
Daddy's Chicken Shack currently has locations in California, Oregon, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, and Florida.
Daddy's Chicken Shack is owned by private equity firm Area 15 Ventures, which acquired full ownership of the brand in 2023.
