New Haven-born restaurant chain Haven Hot Chicken is continuing its expansion in the state, with a new location planned for Storrs near the University of Connecticut’s main campus.
The chain announced Tuesday it will be opening its sixth eatery, a 2,000-square-foot restaurant at 1206 Storrs Rd., later this year.
Haven Hot Chicken also has restaurants in New Haven, Orange, Norwalk and North Haven, with a Middletown location opening soon.
Jason Sobocinski, president and co-founder, said the latest site was picked because it is within walking distance of the UConn campus.
“Our fans have asked, and we listened,” Sobocinski said, noting how this is the chain’s first foray into northern Connecticut.
The chain’s expansion strategy has included multiple locations in close proximity to universities. Its debut location is within walking distance of Yale University, and the Middletown one will be close to Wesleyan University, for example.
The restaurant features Nashville-style chicken and “not chicken.” Guests can order chicken or vegetarian cauliflower sandwiches and tenders, which come in customized spice levels, from “Country,” which has no spice, all the way up to the extremely spicy “Haven.” The eatery also serves fries, sides, dessert and seasonal limited-time offerings.
The new Storrs location will offer online ordering with curbside takeout and UberEats delivery. There will also be limited seating available for in-house dining. It will participate in the brand’s ongoing partnership with Connecticut Foodshare to help combat hunger in Connecticut. Through “The Great Banana Pudding Drive,” the chain donates $1 from the sale of each banana pudding to the organization, and it has donated more than $20,000 to date.
