Subway Parent's Hot Chicken Acquisition: 155 New Restaurants Planned For 2024

James

3 min read

Post on Jun 04, 2025

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Subway's Parent Company Spices Things Up: 155 New Hot Chicken Restaurants Planned for 2024

Subway, the ubiquitous sandwich chain, is about to get a whole lot spicier. Its parent company, Roark Capital, has just acquired the popular hot chicken brand, Arby's Restaurant Group Inc., signaling a major expansion into the booming hot chicken market. This bold move promises a fiery 2024, with plans to open a staggering 155 new hot chicken restaurants.

This acquisition marks a significant shift in Roark Capital's strategy, diversifying its portfolio beyond the familiar submarine sandwiches. The fast-growing popularity of hot chicken, a Nashville staple now enjoyed nationwide, presents a lucrative opportunity for the investment firm. By leveraging Arby's existing infrastructure and brand recognition, Roark Capital is poised to rapidly expand its presence in this competitive culinary landscape.

The Rise of Hot Chicken and Arby's Role

The hot chicken market is experiencing explosive growth. Consumers are craving bold flavors and unique dining experiences, and hot chicken delivers just that. While Nashville is considered the birthplace of this fiery delicacy, its appeal has spread across the country, with numerous chains and independent restaurants vying for a share of the market. Arby's, already a major player in the fast-food industry, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. Their established supply chains, marketing expertise, and existing restaurant network provide a significant advantage in the race to dominate the hot chicken sector.

155 New Restaurants: A Strategic Expansion Plan

The ambitious plan to open 155 new hot chicken restaurants in 2024 highlights Roark Capital's confidence in the market's potential. This aggressive expansion strategy suggests a multi-pronged approach, likely including:

• Strategic Location Selection: New restaurants will be strategically placed in high-traffic areas and locations with a demonstrated demand for hot chicken.
• Franchise Opportunities: Franchise agreements will likely play a significant role in accelerating the expansion, allowing for faster growth and wider market penetration.
• Marketing and Branding: A robust marketing campaign will be essential to build brand awareness and attract new customers to the expanded hot chicken offerings.

Implications for the Fast-Food Industry

This acquisition and expansion have significant implications for the fast-food industry. It signals a potential trend towards increased diversification within restaurant conglomerates, as companies seek to capitalize on emerging culinary trends and cater to evolving consumer preferences. We can expect to see more acquisitions and expansions in the hot chicken sector, as other major players try to keep up with the surging popularity of this spicy dish.

What's Next?

While specifics about the branding and menu offerings of the new restaurants are yet to be fully unveiled, the news has already generated considerable buzz within the industry. We can anticipate more announcements in the coming months regarding the rollout of this ambitious expansion plan. Keep an eye out for updates on location announcements and menu reveals—this is a story that's only just heating up!

Keywords: Subway, Roark Capital, Arby's, hot chicken, restaurant acquisition, fast food, franchise, restaurant expansion, Nashville hot chicken, food industry news, culinary trends, 2024 restaurant openings