Shuttered Hot Chicken Takeover chain owes more than $100K to landlords, lawsuits allege

The Chicago-based owner of the now-shuttered Hot Chicken Takeover brand faces lawsuits in Franklin County alleging the company owes more than $100,000 to two Columbus-area landlords. Cases filed in November 2024 by Easton Gateway and in June 2025 by Sintel Retail claim that Craveworthy Brands has broken lease terms for its failure to pay rent, late fees and interest at locations in Easton and Lewis Center, respectively. The owner of a third Hot Chicken Takeover location, the nonprofit North Market Development Authority, says it is owed "significant amounts in back...