The move, marks the latest diversification by the Pizza Express group, which has expanded beyond its core pizza business to include Mac & Wings and now Houston Hot Chicken.
The launch follows a similar move by Azzurri Group, which introduced Dave’s Hot Chicken to the UK market last year.
Houston Hot Chicken offers tenders, waffles and nuggets alongside a range of sandwiches, including its Original Hot Chicken Sandwich, available in a range of spice levels, including its signature ‘Houston, We Have A Problem’ heat level, which the company says measures two million Scoville Heat Units and requires customers to sign a waiver before ordering.
Founded in 2020, the brand has grown rapidly in the US and was ranked No. 217 on the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies. The brand was also recognised in FastCasual’s 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers.
With plans to roll out 50 UK locations over the next three years, Houston Hot Chicken is backed by restaurant-focused private equity firm Savory Fund, which has invested in several US food service brands, including Swig.
“We’re thrilled to be adding Houston Hot Chicken to our house of brands, bringing something truly distinctive to the UK market: bold flavour, real energy and an experience that stands apart,” says Paula MacKenzie, group CEO of PizzaExpress, Mac & Wings and now HHC.
“This is chicken unlike you’ve seen it before.”
Brian Simowitz, Houston Hot Chicken president, adds: “Working with the PizzaExpress team to expand for the first time internationally is truly an exciting moment for us.
“No one knows fried chicken better than HHC, and no one knows the UK market better than PizzaExpress, making this the perfect partnership.
“We can’t wait to fly the coop and land in the UK, bringing something unexpected and exciting to chicken consumers.”