39° and Sunny
Image
Haven Hot Chicken, based in New Haven, CT, the award-winning hot chicken brand “Born Hot. Raised Right.,” announced Wednesday that it will be opening its tenth location – Store #010 - in Franklin, Massachusetts. This will mark the brand’s first expansion outside of Connecticut, bringing Haven Hot Chicken’s signature menu of Crispy, Crunchy, Juicy, Spicy chicken (CCJSD) and vegetarian "Not Chicken," THE Sandwich (Food Network, Guy Fieri's "Best Bite in Town" Grand Champion), house-crafted sauces, craveable sides and seasonal limited-time offerings, to 477 W. Central Street.
With an expected opening date of January 2026, this will mark the brand’s first franchise location with The Coop Group. “Our fuego family has expanded well beyond the borders of Connecticut, and we are thrilled to be expanding operations in New England,” said Jason Sobocinski, President and co-founder, Haven Hot Chicken. “2025 marked the fifth anniversary of our first store opening in New Haven, so it’s fitting that the time is right for us to further our geographic footprint. Bringing the BEST Hot Chicken and Not Chicken to new fans is our mission, and we are excited to delight new guests in the greater Boston area.” The new restaurant will be operated by The Coop Group with operating partner Jake Dagdigian, a franchise entity formed by owners of several Jersey Mike’s locations across Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Coop Group has plans to open one additional Haven Hot Chicken location in Massachusetts in 2026. “We’ve admired Haven Hot Chicken’s rise and the devotion of its fan base,” said The Coop Group in a joint statement.
“The quality of the product is unmatched, the culture is real, and the brand’s approach to hospitality reflects the way we’ve operated our businesses for decades. We’re proud to bring Haven Hot Chicken to Massachusetts and excited to help lead the brand’s expansion across the state with Jake Dagdigian operating this location.”
“The Coop Group is regarded as one of the region’s most operationally excellent and values-driven QSR operators,” added Etkin Tekin, CEO and co-founder, Haven Hot Chicken. “Their alignment with Haven’s culture and their recognition of the brand’s product quality drew them to the franchise opportunity, and we couldn’t ask for better partners to work with towards our first franchise location opening.”
The new Franklin store will offer online ordering through Haven Hot Chicken’s mobile app, offering curbside takeout and delivery, limited in-house seating and catering options. The brand’s philanthropic mission of helping the local community will launch in the Massachusetts market through their beloved “Great Banana Pudding Drive,” which will raise 50 cents for every banana pudding and donate to The Greater Boston Food Bank.
To date, similar fundraising efforts in Connecticut have donated more than $70,000 to CT Foodshare. Haven Hot Chicken currently operates nine company-owned locations in Connecticut: New Haven, Orange, Norwalk, North Haven, Storrs, Middletown, Newington, Oxford and Fairfield as well as a food truck for events and promotions. For more information, follow @havenhotchicken on Instagram or visit havenhotchicken.com.
About Haven Hot Chicken
Founded in 2020 in New Haven, CT, Haven Hot Chicken is redefining fast-casual hot chicken with a mission to satisfy the world's craving for something better. Serving Crispy, Crunchy, Juicy, Spicy chicken (CCJSD) and vegetarian "Not Chicken," Haven is home to THE Sandwich (Food Network, Guy Fieri's "Best Bite in Town" Grand Champion), house-crafted sauces, craveable sides and seasonal limited-time offerings. With a commitment to hospitality, sustainability and community, Haven is setting new standards for the industry - embracing hospitality not only for its guests but its team members in extending industry-leading benefits and upward growth, sustainability in recycling its 100% high-oleic canola oil into airplane fuel and utilizing biodegradable and compostable packaging and cutlery and straws made from repurposed oyster shells, and community through the sponsorship of youth and collegiate sports programs, and other long-term fundraising and donation partnerships.
The company launched its franchise program in late 2025. Recognitions include ranking #160 on The 2024 Inc. 5000 List for rapid growth (No. 7 in Food and Beverage and No. 1 in Connecticut), inclusion on QSR's 40/40 List of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals in 2024, winner of the 2023 Fast Casual Executive Summit Perfect Pitch, highlighted as one of the “8 Best Hot Chicken Chains in America” by Eat This, Not That and named Food Network's Best Bite in New Haven. Follow @havenhotchicken on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook or sign up for our newsletter at havenhotchicken.com.
