Nashville Hot Chicken didn’t begin with a trend forecast or a flashy launch. It began with a simple test. In 2018, Co-founder and CEO Tigran Melkonyan and his brother, Sam, were running a pizzeria when they decided to slip samples of their Nashville-style chicken tenders into customer orders just to see what would happen. By Tamara Rahoumi
Nashville Hot Chicken didn’t begin with a trend forecast or a flashy launch. It began with a simple test. In 2018, Co-founder and CEO Tigran Melkonyan and his brother, Sam, were running a pizzeria when they decided to slip samples of their Nashville-style chicken tenders into customer orders just to see what would happen.
“People were giving great feedback on it,” Melkonyan said. “Over time, we realized that there were more people coming in for the hot chicken than the pizza.”
That early phase set the tone for how the company makes decisions today. Nashville Hot Chicken’s growth is rooted in a willingness to experiment and a discipline around what stays. The team tested food trucks and ghost kitchens before deciding storefronts were the most scalable and reliable option for franchisees. The ability to pivot quickly and confidently is now a core part of the brand’s operations.
It’s a philosophy that, first and foremost, guides the franchise model itself. Rather than adopting the high-cost, multi-unit approach that dominates much of the chicken category, Nashville Hot Chicken designed its opportunity to be accessible to everyday entrepreneurs. With an initial investment range of $250,000 to $550,000, the model includes equipment, construction, the franchise fee and four to six months of operating reserves.
“Why not just make it so that it’s much more affordable and competitive,” Melkonyan said. “Why not make it easier for the average family to be able to own their own franchise?”
Support is another area where the brand’s early values come through. The launch process is truly immersive, and the founders are deeply involved as each franchisee prepares to open their doors.
“Sam and I both fly out for every store opening to make sure that everything is set,” Melkonyan said. “We don’t leave until the franchisee tells us that they are 100% good to be on their own.”
Of course, Melkonyan noted that this might have to change as the brand scales, but for now, the founders plan to maintain this approach for as long as they can.
Additionally, while the brand continues to refine its systems, Nashville Hot Chicken is equally intentional about who represents it. Candidates are evaluated for leadership skills, financial judgment, dependability and their willingness to learn.
“Strong franchises are the ones that we can trust to execute independently,” Melkonyan said.
Success also hinges on an owner’s presence and their commitment to guest experience.
“All the franchises that are actually in store and making sure that customers are happy when they leave, those locations are the ones performing really, really well,” he continued.
Even the menu reflects thoughtful expansion. Alongside its signature hot chicken, Nashville Hot Chicken has broadened its offerings to appeal to varying tastes and encourage repeat visits, preventing menu fatigue.
“Not everyone wants spicy chicken all the time,” Melkonyan said. “It just gives them more to choose from.”
By building each part of the business with deliberate care, Nashville Hot Chicken offers prospective franchise owners something rare: a concept shaped not by trends, but by intention.
Tamara Rahoumi