The Red Chickz Fires Up Maryland With New 3-Unit Franchise Deal

January 14, 2026 // Franchising.com // LOS ANGELES, CA – The Red Chickz is bringing its signature crunch and spice to the East Coast with a new 3-unit franchise deal in Maryland. Spearheading the expansion is experienced franchise operator Sam Patel, joined by his sister and business partner, Phalguni Patel.

Sam Patel brings over a decade of multi-unit, multi-market experience to The Red Chickz system. He began his franchise journey in 2015 with Tropical Smoothie Café, where he currently operates multiple stores in Maryland and Indiana. His portfolio includes three open locations in Maryland with a fourth underway, and ten in Indiana, with one already serving guests. Previously involved with 7-Eleven and instrumental in launching WingStop locations with his brother, Patel has steadily expanded his footprint in the quick-service space while keeping his focus on operational excellence and customer experience.

His discovery of The Red Chickz came during a nationwide search for a standout chicken concept. “When I saw The Red Chickz on TikTok, I was intrigued by the energy, the branding, and product quality,” said Patel. “Then I tasted it in Carlsbad; and I knew it had the ‘it’ factor. The quality of the product blew me away… every item was memorable.” That experience sealed his decision to join the brand, one he sees as a category-defining disruptor in the rising hot chicken segment.

Phalguni Patel, Sam’s sister and partner in the venture, shares his passion for food and entrepreneurship. Together, the duo brings a winning combination of operational know-how, local insight, and love for bold flavor.

“We’re building a franchise community full of operators like Sam and Phalguni – people with passion, experience, and a vision for creating memorable guest experiences,” said Spencer Sabatasso, VP of Franchise Development for The Red Chickz. “They’re exactly the kind of partners we want fueling our national expansion.”

SOURCE The Red Chickz

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