Patterson Brings 30-Plus Years of Restaurant Experience Including Prior Work with Brand President Brian Simowitz
Houston TX Hot Chicken has welcomed Chris Patterson as vice president of training. Patterson joins the franchise amid its nationwide expansion. He a leverages more than 30 years of restaurant experience with brands including Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, CiCi’s Pizza and Slim Chickens.
“I’m genuinely excited about the opportunity to help grow Houston TX Hot Chicken into a national and eventually international brand,” Patterson said. “I love building things, bringing a vision to life and being part of a brand’s growth story. This role allows me to contribute in a meaningful way, not just in training and operations, but also in shaping the future of the company. The team has done an amazing job getting HHC to where it is today. Now, I have the chance to collaborate with them and provide the strategic support needed for our next phase of expansion.”
Patterson previously worked with Houston TX Hot Chicken President Brian Simowitz at Slim Chickens. “We partnered closely to scale that brand to over 300 locations, and through that journey, discovered we share the same values — not just in how to grow a brand, but also in how to support the people behind it,” Patterson said.
Simowitz said Patterson is the right person to foster HHC’s expansion. “He is one of the most experienced and well-rounded training leaders in the industry. He understands how to scale people, process and culture — exactly what we need as we prepare for massive growth,” Simowitz said.
Support from Savory Fund
Joining the Savory Fund family was another huge draw for Patterson. “Getting to collaborate with leaders like [CEO and co-founder] Shauna Smith and [President] Tyler Nelson has been an incredible experience. They’re the kind of leaders who truly care about people, and are passionate about helping brands reach their potential — an approach that deeply resonates with how I lead and operate,” Patterson said.
He said support from the private equity firm, as well as continued innovation and staying abreast of industry trends, fuels HHC’s competitiveness. “This starts with getting involved with organizations and groups like the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Trainers (CHART) where you can gather insights and learn from industry peers,” he said. “It is also vital to understand how today’s workforce learns. What worked 10 years ago or even five years ago doesn’t necessarily work now. We need to meet people where they are, delivering content in a way that’s engaging, easy to absorb and built for how this generation consumes information.”
During his downtime, Patterson enjoys spending time with his wife, Erin, and their three children. He also likes to read, listen to music and watch the Dallas Cowboys.
About Houston TX Hot Chicken
Founded in 2021, Houston TX Hot Chicken serves hot chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads, soup, waffle shakes and loaded fries. The brand has experienced growth in Texas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Utah, Idaho and Michigan.
About Savory Fund
Savory Fund is a private equity firm that combines more than $750 million in assets under management. Savory partners with emerging restaurant brands to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities. In addition to HHC, Savory backs Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, South Block, Bonrue Bakery and restaurant tech investment 86 Repairs.
