Sweet Chick
Sweet Chick, a popular New York-based restaurant group specializing in chicken and waffles, has just received $5 million in Series A funding from Founder's Table Restaurant Group.
The partnership will finance the rapid growth and expansion of Sweet Chick’s presence throughout New York City, Los Angeles, and beyond, as well as the completion of the restaurant's transformation to a fast casual model.
“Sweet Chick has the two ingredients that embody the spirit of Founders Table—innovative food, with the best chicken and waffles on the planet, and a unique Founder vision driven by John’s creativity,” said Nick Marsh, CEO of Founders Table.
“We are excited to be a part of their growth.”
On the Lower East Side Sweet Chick serves up comfort food, cocktails and more
Founded in 2013, Sweet Chick began as something of a community phenomenon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and put as much effort into collaborations with local artists and musicians as it did its gourmet comfort food and cocktails.
As its reputation flourished, leading to a presence at some of the biggest festivals throughout the US, it became a place to see-and-be-seen. For investors, too.
Rapper-turned-entrepreneur Nas invested in the business early on, and locations in all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Los Angeles, opened shortly thereafter.
A-listers including Kendrick Lamar, Cameron Diaz, and Mariah Carey have all been spotted dining at Sweet Chick.
John Seymour, CEO and founder of Sweet Chick
Of course, celebrity influence isn’t always enough. To meet customer’s needs during the pandemic, Sweet Chick founder and CEO John Seymour pivoted the restaurant brand into a hospitality-driven fast-casual model, rather than a full-service restaurant.
This adaptation is now the vision Seymour has for Sweet Chick’s growth moving forward.
"We are extremely excited to be partnering with Founders Table on taking Sweet Chick to the next level," says Seymour.
“With this partnership and backing, we look to open more locations to serve our delicious food, build our team and spread even more love the Sweet Chick way!”
Seymour and the wider Sweet Chick team have also expressed interest in exploring franchising as part of their overall growth strategy, and will use this funding to aid its development.
A selection of dishes available at Sweet Chick
Founders Table Restaurant Group launched in January 2020 with a focus on creating, acquiring, and growing innovative, founder-led, line-out-the-door restaurant companies.
To date, Chopt Creative Salad Company, Dos Toros Taqueria, Field Trip and Sweet Chick make up its family of brands, with Chopt boasting 70 locations alone.
As part of the deal, Founders Table’s Nick Marsh from will be joining Sweet Chick’s Board of Directors.
"I’m really excited to see Sweet Chick continue its growth and reach a larger audience –this restaurant has been integral to music and culture and I can't wait to see where we go next,” says Nas.
